Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, Vice President of India & President IIPA (2017-2022)
Muppavarapu Venkaiah Naidu (born July 1, 1949) is a veteran Indian politician who served as the 13th Vice President of India from 2017 to 2022. A prominent leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), he previously served as a Union Cabinet Minister for Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, Urban Development, and Information and Broadcasting.
Key Aspects of M. Venkaiah Naidu's Profile:
- Birth & Background: Born in Chavatapalem, Andhra Pradesh, to an agricultural family.
- Education: He holds a law degree from Andhra University, Visakhapatnam.
- Political Rise: He started as a student leader in Nellore and was active in the 1972 Jai Andhra Movement. He rose through the BJP ranks, becoming a key party figure, acting as the national president from 2002 to 2004.
- Ministerial Positions: He held key portfolios in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Narendra Modi cabinets, including Rural Development, Parliamentary Affairs, and Urban Development.
- Vice Presidency: As Vice President of India (August 11, 2017 – August 11, 2022), he was also the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
- Awards: He was awarded India's second-highest civilian honor, the Padma Vibhushan, in 2024.
- Focus Areas: Known for his focus on rural development, agricultural welfare, and urban planning