First Women Speaker of Loksabha?
VerifiedAnswer: Meira Kumar
Explanation:
Meira Kumar holds the historic distinction of being the first woman Speaker of the Lok Sabha, India's lower house of Parliament. She was elected to this prestigious position on June 3, 2009, during the 15th Lok Sabha, marking a significant milestone in Indian parliamentary history.
Born on March 31, 1945, in Patna, Bihar, Meira Kumar comes from a politically influential family. She is the daughter of Babu Jagjivan Ram, who was a prominent freedom fighter and one of India's most respected Dalit leaders. This background gave her deep insights into social justice and parliamentary procedures from an early age.
Before becoming the Speaker, Meira Kumar had an impressive career in both civil service and politics. She was an IFS (Indian Foreign Service) officer and served in various diplomatic positions, including postings in Spain, the United Kingdom, and Mauritius. Her diplomatic experience proved invaluable in managing parliamentary proceedings with grace and efficiency.
Her political career began when she was first elected to the Lok Sabha in 1985 from Bijnor constituency in Uttar Pradesh. She represented this constituency for five consecutive terms and later represented Sasaram constituency in Bihar. Throughout her parliamentary career, she served in various ministerial positions, including Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, and Minister of Water Resources.
As Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Meira Kumar was known for her firm yet fair approach to managing parliamentary proceedings. She effectively handled disruptions and maintained the dignity of the House during her tenure from 2009 to 2014. Her leadership style was characterized by patience, wisdom, and a deep understanding of parliamentary traditions and procedures.
Her appointment as Speaker was particularly significant as it represented the growing participation of women in Indian politics and their rise to positions of high constitutional authority. During her tenure, she worked to modernize parliamentary procedures and improve the functioning of the Lok Sabha.
In 2017, Meira Kumar was nominated as the opposition candidate for the Presidential election, though she was unsuccessful. Throughout her career, she has been a strong advocate for women's rights, social justice, and the upliftment of marginalized communities, continuing her father's legacy of fighting for equality and justice in Indian society.
