Meet NDA's president candidate Ram Nath Kovind, who prefers to keep low profile
Kovind, 71, was born in Derapur, Kanpur Dehat. He had cracked the UPSC examinations in his third attempt, but did not join as he qualified for one of the Allied services.
NEW DELHI: Ram Nath Kovind always prefers to stay out of the spotlight and function below the radar, a quality rare in a politician.
While his Dalit credentials did play a significant role in Kovind being chosen as the presidential candidate, his habit of not hogging the limelight and diligently working towards his goals of social welfare makes him a stand-out among leaders. Even as national spokesperson, Kovind virtually shunned the media — not a virtue one would expect in somebody holding such a post. He held only three press conferences in his entire tenure as spokesperson. He was never a favourite of reporters looking for a sound byte.
However, anybody wanting to understand in depth a social issue or any incident of an atrocity against Dalits in an area could gain from his knowledge.
Kovind, who will turn 72 this October, was born in Derapur, Kanpur Dehat. He had cracked the UPSC examinations in his third attempt, but did not join as he qualified for one of the Allied services. A Supreme Court lawyer, he has been central government’s Chief Standing Counsel for several years.
Kovind served three terms as SC Morcha head of BJP. BJP leaders maintain that during his two stints in the Rajya Sabha from 1994 to 2006, Kovind would walk in quietly and occupy one of the back benches.
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It is not well-known that Kovind is also a part of a group of lawyers who fight cases of those who cannot afford big lawyers of the Supreme Court.
His appointment as Governor of Bihar in August 2014 had surprised a few in the party. He caused some embarrassment to RJD supremo Lalu Prasad’s son Tej Pratap while administering him oath of office.
Kovind corrected him when he got his pronunciation wrong and asked him to take oath again. BJP leaders describe him as docile, civil, noncontroversial and one who keeps a low profile — qualities that will stand him in good stead in Rashtrapati Bhavan.
His deep knowledge of the Constitution and law would be an added advantage, more so in case the need arises for interpreting the rule book.
BJP-led National Democratic Alliance nominee Ram Nath Kovind is the new President of India.
Here is all you need to know about him.
BJP-led National Democratic Alliance nominee Ram Nath Kovind is the new President of India.
Here is all you need to know about him.
After graduating in law from a Kanpur college, Kovind had gone to Delhi to prepare for the Indian Administrative Services (IAS) entrance test. He failed to pass it twice but made it in his third attempt. He, however, did not join as he was selected for the allied services and started practising the law.
After graduating in law from a Kanpur college, Kovind had gone to Delhi to prepare for the Indian Administrative Services (IAS) entrance test. He failed to pass it twice but made it in his third atte..
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Kovind, an advocate by profession used to practice in Supreme Court. He had represented India in the United Nations in New York and addressed United Nations General Assembly in October 2002.
In 1977, Kovind had worked as the private secretary of then prime minister Morarji Desai. Later Kovind had also served as national spokesperson of BJP.
Kovind, an advocate by profession used to practice in Supreme Court. He had represented India in the United Nations in New York and addressed United Nations General Assembly in October 2002.
In 1977..
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Kovind was elected to Rajya Sabha from his home state of Uttar Pradesh during the two terms of 1994-2000 and 2000-2006.
He had donated his ancestral house in his native village in Kanpur as baraatghar or community house to the village.
Kovind was elected to Rajya Sabha from his home state of Uttar Pradesh during the two terms of 1994-2000 and 2000-2006.
He had donated his ancestral house in his native village in Kanpur as baraatgh..
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On 8 August 2015, President Pranab Mukherjee appointed him the Governor of Bihar.
On 8 August 2015, President Pranab Mukherjee appointed him the Governor of Bihar.
The 71-year-old is a former President of the BJP Dalit Morcha (1998-2002) and President of the All-India Koli Samaj as well as the SC/ST representative at IIM-Calcutta.
The 71-year-old is a former President of the BJP Dalit Morcha (1998-2002) and President of the All-India Koli Samaj as well as the SC/ST representative at IIM-Calcutta.
