India’s newly anointed Minister for Human Resource Development Smriti Irani besides being the youngest in the 45 member Narendra Modi Ministerial team is perhaps also the least educated being a non-graduate. The silver lining however for 38 year old Smriti Irani is that her name does not figure in that hall of shame of those 30% of the new Council of Ministers who have criminal cases pending against them.
It may be argued that a degree is not all that important. But in today’s day and times a sound academic foundation is imperative to invigorate the all important department of Human Resource Development. Only Narendra Modi would know as to why he opted for an under educated and that too a defeated candidate over other much more highly qualified, experienced and very resourceful persons amongst his elected MPs. As per Smriti Irani’s affidavit filed on 16th April at the recent Lok Sabha elections her total income for the financial year 2012-13 was a mere Rs 3,68,970 while that of her husband Zubin was Rs 2,06,960. She has however shown her assets at Rs 1,36,18,621 besides her immovable assets with a current market value as Rs 2,78,80,000 which includes a 1750 sq ft house at Tivim in Goa which she bought for Rs 30 lacs in 2008 and also spent another Rs 20,28,604 on its further renovation. Smriti Irani who was the finalist at the beauty pageant Femina Miss India 1998 before taking to modeling worked as a waitress at McDonald’s. Interestingly Smriti Irani who joined the BJP in 2003 had in December 2004 threatened to "fast unto death" until then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi resigned while blaming him for BJP's then electoral losses. From 2004 to 2014 the actress turned politician has gone a long way. What a glamorous Parivartan indeed! Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires