Cabinet reshuffle: Milind Deora, politician, guitarist and now a minister

NEW DELHI: A new generation politician, Milind Deora, who has inherited his father's legacy, makes a debut in the Union Council of Ministers and is one of its youngest members.

Modern, dynamic and suave, Milind(34) is a two-term Member of Lok Sabha from South Mumbai, a constituency nurtured by his father and former Corporate Affairs Minister Murli Deora who resigned just days ahead of today's Cabinet reshuffle.

An accomplished blues guitarist and who has several performances to his credit, he is considered among the close friends of Rahul Gandhi.

The young Deora's website says that he has downplayed and even hidden his formidable musical talents for years fearful that people would take him less seriously as a public servant.

Milind is known for his hands-on approach and is popular among his constituents -- who range from poor mill workers to multi-billionaire industrialists -- for various initiatives he has taken in the area.

A good orator and debater, he is known among friends like Rahul Gandhi as well as parliamentary colleagues for setting up informal workshops that would deliberate on policies.

After earning a degree in Business and Political Science, Milind founded an NGO Sparsh, a social initiative which aims at educating students in computer and IT proficiency.

Milind's debut in the government as Minister of State for Communication and IT comes in the wake of his 74-year-old father's resignation as Cabinet minister citing old age.

He has played numbers of rock legend Jimi Hendrix like 'Stone Free' and 'Manic Depression' as well as 'Better Watch Yourself' and 'I've been loving you'. He has been playing the blues since his days at the Boston University. His brother Mukund is a Disc Jockey.

Milind was born and brought up in Mumbai. He studied at the Cathedral School and then at the Sydenham College of Commerce and Economics.

He is married to Pooja Shetty, the daughter of former Adlabs Chairman Manmohan Shetty, who runs a film production company.