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Smriti Irani

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Smriti Irani
Smriti
Irani in 2023
Union Cabinet Minister, Government of India
In office
26 May 2014 – 11 June 2024
6 July 2022 – 11 June 2024Ministry of Minority Affairs
31 May 2019 – 11 June 2024Ministry of Women and Child Development
5 July 2016 – 7 July 2021Ministry of Textiles
18 July 2017 – 24 May 2018Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
26 May 2014 – 5 July 2016Ministry of Human Resource Development
Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
In office
23 May 2019 – 4 June 2024
Preceded byRahul Gandhi
Succeeded byKishori Lal Sharma
ConstituencyAmethi, Uttar Pradesh
Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha
In office
19 August 2011 – 23 May 2019
Preceded byPravin Naik
Succeeded byJugalji Mathurji Thakor
ConstituencyGujarat
National President of the BJP Mahila Morcha
In office
24 June 2010 – 24 April 2013
Preceded byKiran Maheshwari
Succeeded bySaroj Pandey
Personal details
Born
Smriti Malhotra

(1976-03-23) 23 March 1976 (age 48)[1]
New Delhi, Delhi, India
Political partyBharatiya Janata Party
Spouse
Zubin Irani
​
(m. 2001)​
Children3
Residence(s)Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Occupation
  • Politician
  • actress (former)

Smriti Zubin Irani (née Malhotra; Hindi pronunciation: [smɾɪt̪ɪ iːɾɑːniː] born 23 March 1976) is an Indian politician and former actress, fashion model and television producer. She was Minister of WCD from 2019 to 2024, and also Minister of MA from 2022 to 2024 (as the first non-Muslim to hold the position). She previously served as Minister of HRD (2014 to 2016), Minister of Textiles (2016 to 2021), and Minister of IB (2017 to 2018).[2][3] She was the youngest minister (at age 43) in prime minister Narendra Modi's second ministry in 2019.[4]

A prominent leader of BJP, she had been a MP from 2011 to 2024, serving in the Rajya Sabha from Gujarat from 2011 to 2019 and from 2019 to 2024 as a member of the Lok Sabha from the Amethi constituency in UP. She was also the National President of the BJP Mahila Morcha (the party's women's wing) from 2010 to 2013. In the 2019 elections she gained the Amethi constituency by defeating opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, then-president of the INC, whose family members had represented the constituency for the previous four decades. She subsequently lost the constituency to long time Indian National Congress worker Kishori Lal Sharma in the 2024 elections.

Previously in the mid-2000s, Irani gained popularity as a TV artist playing the lead role of Tulsi Virani in Ekta Kapoor's production Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi on Star Plus for which she won five consecutive ITA Best Actress awards.[5] Irani comes from a multi-cultural family, with her paternal family having Punjabi and Maharashtrian background, while her maternal family is Bengali.[6] She is a multi-linguist and speaks several Indian languages including Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Gujarati, and Punjabi.[6][7]

Early and personal life

[edit]

She was born as Smriti Malhotra, the daughter of a half-Punjabi, half-Maharashtrian Hindu father, Ajay Kumar Malhotra, and a Bengali Hindu mother, Shibani née Bagchi.[1][8][9] She is the eldest among three sisters.[10][11] Her mother was a member of Jana Sangh and her grandfather was associated with Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.[12]

Smriti was educated at the Holy Child Auxilium School, New Delhi, which is run by Catholic nuns.[13] Later, she enrolled in School of Open Learning at University of Delhi.[14][15] In 2019, she revealed that she had written her first year B.Com. exams from that institution, but had not completed the three-year degree course.[16]

In 2001, Smriti married a Parsi businessman, Zubin Irani. In October the same year, the couple had their first child, a son named Zohr.[17] In September 2003, the couple had their second child, a daughter named Zoish. Smriti is also a stepmother to Shanelle who is Zubin Irani's daughter from his previous marriage to Mona Irani, a coordinator and former beauty contestant.[18][19]

In 2018, responding to queries about her faith, she stated that she is a practising Hindu married to a practising Zoroastrian, and that wearing sindoor is her belief as a Hindu.[20][21]

Acting career

[edit]

Irani was one of the participants of the beauty pageant Miss India 1998 but couldn't reach the top 9, along with Gauri Pradhan Tejwani.[18][22][23] In 1998, Irani appeared in a song "Boliyan" of the album "Saawan Mein Lag Gayi Aag" with Mika Singh.[24][25] In 2000, she made her acting début with TV series Aatish and Hum Hain Kal Aaj Aur Kal, both of which aired on Star Plus. Apart from this, she acted in Kavita on DD metro. In mid-2000, Irani bagged the lead role of Tulsi Virani in Ekta Kapoor's production Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi on Star Plus for which she holds the record of winning five consecutive ITA Award for Best Actress Popular and four Indian Telly Awards. Irani had a fallout with the producer Ekta Kapoor and she left the show in June 2007 and was replaced by Gautami Kapoor. She made her comeback in May 2008 in a special episode, reconciling with Kapoor.[5]

In 2002, she played the epic character Sita in Zee TV's Ramayan along with Nitish Bharadwaj[26] In 2006, Irani co-produced the show Thodi Si Zameen Thoda Sa Aasmaan under her banner Ugraya Entertainment and co-produced by Balaji Telefilms. She also played the lead role of Uma in it. In 2007, she produced the TV serial Virrudh for Sony TV and also portrayed the lead character of Vasudha in it.[26] She produced Mere Apne for 9X and portrayed the protagonist alongside Vinod Khanna. She acted in a supporting role in Zee TV's Teen Bahuraaniyaan.[27]

In 2008, Irani along with Sakshi Tanwar hosted the show Yeh Hai Jalwa, a dance based reality show featuring celebrities along with their troops on 9X. In the same year she produced another show on Zee TV, Waaris which ended in 2009. In 2009, she appeared in a comedy show Maniben.com, aired on SAB TV. She also co-produced the show in collaboration with Contiloe Entertainment. In 2012, she worked in Bengali movie Amrita.[28][29]

Political career

[edit]
Irani, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former President Pranab Mukherjee at the Conference of Chairmen of Boards of Governors, and Directors of IITs at Rashtrapati Bhawan on 22 August 2014.
Irani taking charge as the Union Minister for Human Resource Development, in New Delhi on 27 May 2014

Irani joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2003.[30] The following year, she was appointed vice-president of the Maharashtra Youth Wing in 2004.[31] In the general elections held that year for the 14th Lok Sabha, she contested unsuccessfully against Kapil Sibal from the Chandni Chowk constituency in Delhi. That election witnessed a shock defeat for the incumbent Vajpayee government. In December 2004, Irani, blaming then Gujarat Chief Minister, Narendra Modi for BJP's electoral losses, threatened to fast unto death until he resigned.[32] She retracted this demand after the BJP's central leadership threatened to take action against her.[33][34]

Irani was nominated as executive member of the central committee of the BJP.[35][36] During the campaign for the 2009 parliamentary elections, while campaigning for Vijay Goel in the New Delhi constituency, Irani voiced her concern for women's safety in the city and advocated capital punishment for rapists as a deterrent.[37] In early 2010, Irani was appointed National Secretary of BJP and on 24 June, she was appointed All India President of the BJP's women's wing, BJP Mahila Morcha.[30][38] As National President of BJP Women's Wing, she successfully pursued Permanent Commission for Women in the Indian Army by facilitating legal aid to women officers who held temporary commission and were agitating for permanent commission.[39]

In August 2011, Irani finally entered parliament. She was sworn in as a member of parliament from Gujarat to the Rajya Sabha.[40][41][42]

Irani contested the 2014 general elections against Rahul Gandhi in Amethi constituency of Uttar Pradesh.[43] Irani lost to Gandhi by 1,07,923 votes, a 12.32% margin.[44][45] On 26 May 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi appointed her as the Minister of Human Resource Development in his cabinet.[46][47] Her appointment was criticised by many people owing to her lack of formal higher education.[48][49][50]

Irani has been accused of misrepresenting her educational qualifications.[51] Conflicting affidavits were allegedly submitted by her while filing for different elections.[52] In June 2015, a lower court held that the allegations against Irani were maintainable and a delay in prosecution was not a valid reason for dismissal.[53] Irani asked people to file a PIL about her educational qualification to know about the truth behind the affidavit controversy.[54]

Irani implemented various reforms in universities during her term as HRD minister.[55] Irani made a speech in Parliament in which she discussed the 2016 JNU sedition controversy and the Suicide of Rohith Vemula.[56] University of Hyderabad doctor Rajashree M contradicted some claims made by Irani regarding the circumstances of Rohith's death.[57]

She announced to start new yoga departments in six new universities in June 2016.[58]

In July 2016, in a cabinet reshuffle Irani was shuffled to the Ministry of Textiles from MHRD.[59]

In July 2017, she was handed the additional charge of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India) when former Minister Venkaiah Naidu resigned from the ministry to take part in vice-presidential elections.[60]

In 2019, Irani became a member of parliament for Amethi constituency after winning the Lok Sabha seat in the 2019 general elections from Rahul Gandhi.[61][62] In the 2024 elections Irani lost to Congress Loyalist Kishore Lal Sharma in Amethi by a margin of 1,67,196 votes.[63][64]

Work undertaken as Union Minister

[edit]

Smriti Irani was the youngest minister in the cabinet of Narendra Modi. She was also the first woman to hold office as the Union Minister for Human Resource Development and Union Minister of Textiles.[39] She was also the youngest woman to be nominated to the Rajya Sabha.[65] Some of her key achievements in various portfolios held by her have been listed below:

As Union Minister for Human Resource Development (May 2014–July 2016)

[edit]

In her term as the HRD minister, Irani undertook a number of decisions which helped in improving the quality, inclusivity and outcome of education in the country. Some of the key achievements have been listed as under:

  1. The Global Initiative of Academic Networks (GIAN)[66] was launched by the Minister post the retreat of IITs in 2014. The network is an initiative within the Higher Education sector aimed at tapping the talent pool of scientists and entrepreneurs, internationally to encourage their engagement with the institutes of Higher Education in India so as to augment the country's existing academic resources, accelerate the pace of quality reform, and elevate India's scientific and technological capacity to global excellence.[67][68]
  2. Udaan Yojana and Pragati Scheme launched in 2014 by Irani aims to address the low enrolment of girls in engineering colleges. The scheme has been designed to provide a comprehensive platform to deserving girl students who aspire to pursue higher education in engineering and assist them in preparing for the IIT-JEE while studying in Classes XI and XII.[69] By 2016, 143 of the 300 girls under the scheme had cleared JEE.[70] In the same year the Pragati Scheme was launched in order to provide financial support and encouragement to female students to pursue technical education.[71][72]
  3. Know Your College Portal was launched in the year 2014 for helping a prospective student make a value judgement with regard to the selection of an appropriate college for pursuing higher education by providing the necessary information about the college.[73]
  4. The IMPacting Research INnovation and Technology (IMPRINT) India Scheme, brainchild of Irani was launched by the former President, Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015.[74] It is the first of its kind MHRD supported Pan-IIT + IISc joint initiative to address the major science and engineering challenges that India must address and champion to enable, empower and embolden the nation for inclusive growth and self-reliance.[75] Within a year of its launch 31 ministries and government departments have proposed to co-fund 229 research projects worth Rs 59,589 lakh at IITs and other premier Indian research institutes.[76]
  5. National institute Ranking Framework is an indigenous ranking framework for higher educational institutions launched by Irani in 2015, It will now allow the students seeking admission into colleges to assess the performance and quality level of different colleges.[77]
  6. SWAYAM (Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds), launched in the year 2016 by Irani is a Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCS) platform, which aims at providing online courses, study material and course registration. It has been designed to achieve the three cardinal principles of Education Policy viz., access, equity and quality. It further aims to bridge the digital divide for students who have hitherto remained untouched by the digital revolution and have not been able to join the mainstream of the knowledge economy.[78]
  7. Veer Gatha series was launched by the HRD ministry under the leadership of Irani in the year 2016 as an initiative to take the stories of India's bravest of the brave soldiers to young school children and inspire them.[79]

Union Minister for Textiles (July 2016–July 2021)

[edit]
Irani addressing media on taking charge as Union Textiles Minister in New Delhi on 6 July 2016

In July 2016, Irani was given charge of the Textiles Ministry, taking over from Santosh Kumar Gangwar.[80] She held that portfolio for a full five years, until July 2021, having been re-appointed to the position after the parliamentary elections of 2019.[81] Her contribution to the sector has been appreciated by various industry bodies like the textile council TEXPROCIL, the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India and the Indian Texpreneurs Federation (ITF).[82] Her significant initiatives as Minister of Textiles include:

  1. Apparel Sector Special Package launched in the year 2018, is a Rs. 6,000 crore worth of package launched by Irani in 2016, aimed at strengthening the entire textile industry by providing financial support to small scale players in the industry.[83]
  2. Support for Technical Textile, in a bid to fulfil the long-standing demand of the industry, in January 2019, Irani declare technical textile items as a separate category and declared that the government had notified 207 HSN codes as technical textiles. The said move is expected to benefit 900 million farmers in the country and will help the industry to grow over Rs 2 trillion (short scale) in the tech textile sector and help the potential investors to enter into technical textiles.[84]
  3. Special focus on the North Eastern Regions, during the first term of her tenure as the Minister of Textiles, 21 readymade garment manufacturing units in the north eastern region had been made functional. Special initiatives were taken to further push sericulture in the region, for which Rs. 690 crore had been earmarked.[85]
  4. Silk Samagra Workshop was launched by Irani in 2018, which is an Integrated Scheme for Development of Silk Industry for 3 years from 2017 to 2020. The main objective of the scheme is to maintain Breeders stock, Breed improvement through R&D Projects, Development of mechanised practices, Technology translation through Sericulture Information Linkages and Knowledge System (SILKS) Portal, Mobile Application for Stakeholders and for seed quality monitoring.[86]
  5. Samarth Scheme, is an aspirational initiative launched by Irani in her second term as the Union Minister for Textiles. The ministry has envisaged an expenditure of over Rs. 1,300 crore to upskill over 4 lakh workers in 16 states.[87]

Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting (July 2017–May 2018)

[edit]
Irani takes charge as the Minister of Information & Broadcasting, in New Delhi on 18 July 2017.
  1. The 48th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) was held under her watch in November 2017. For the first time, under the Accessible India Campaign of the Government of India, cinematic works were presented in audio-described format for the visually impaired.[88] Film star Shah Rukh Khan expressed his admiration in these words: "Great endeavour by I&B Minister Smriti Irani to make IFFI the most inclusive, relevant forum for Indian cinema. My unwavering support to you".[89] The event was a star studded one, with Sridevi, AR Rahman, Shahid Kapoor and Vishal Bhardwaj and many other stars registering their presence at the event.[90]
  2. In FY 2017, during Mrs. Irani's term as I&B Minister, the revenue of State-run broadcaster Doordarshan rose to Rs 827.51 crore, surpassing its target of Rs 800 crore.[91]

Union Minister for Women and Child Developments (May 2019–June 2024)

[edit]

In the second term of the Modi Government, Irani was appointed given the key portfolio Union Minister for Women and Child Development.[92] Subsequently, in the cabinet re-shuffle of July 2021, Irani was again given the charge of the Ministry of Women and Child Development.[93]

One of her first legislative initiatives as the Minister for WCD was the Amendment to the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2019, which aims to make punishment more stringent and even include death penalty for offenders involved in sexual crimes against minors.[94] She undertook the initiative to define "child pornography" and reiterated a "zero tolerance" stance against the crime.[95][96]

Bharatiya Poshan Krishi Kosh, As part of the Poshan Abhiyaan, Irani along with Bill Gates, through his foundation, announced the launch of India's first Poshan Atlas, Bhartiya Poshan Krishi Kosh(BPKK) in order to create a repository of diverse crops across 127 agro-climatic zones of the country.[97]

Union Minister for Minority Affairs (July 2022 - June 2024)

[edit]

In August 2023, Irani introduced ‘Naya Savera’ scheme (‘Free Coaching and Allied’ scheme) to assist students belonging to the six minority communities namely Sikh, Jain, Muslim, Christian, Buddhist and Parsi by way of special coaching for qualifying examinations for admission in technical/professional courses and competitive examination for recruitment.[98][99]

In January 2024, Smriti Irani became the only non-muslim on her historical visit to the holy site of Medina led by the Saudi-Arabian delegates, where she signed the Hajj agreement 2024, and brought home increased quota for Hajj trip for Muslims in India. [100][101]

MP from Amethi

[edit]

Irani, in 2019 general elections, in Amethi constituency of Uttar Pradesh, won against Rahul Gandhi, President of the Indian National Congress, by a margin of 55,120 votes who previously seat held since 2004.[102][103][104][105] The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its leadership put in an all around effort over the past five years to ensure this win after her loss to Gandhi by 1,07,923 votes, a 12.32% margin in 2014 general elections.[106][107] Irani made multiple visits to Amethi after her loss to launch central development schemes in the constituency, to underscore her message that she would provide better representation than the incumbent member. In the 2024 general elections however, Irani lost the Amethi seat to the Indian National Congress' candidate Kishori Lal Sharma by a margin of 167,196 votes.[108]


Events

[edit]

Undergraduate degree

[edit]

Irani was accused of providing contradictory affidavits about her educational qualifications during different elections. In her affidavit for the 2004 Lok Sabha elections, she reportedly stated her educational qualification as B.A. from Delhi University. However, while filing affidavits in her nomination papers for Rajya Sabha from Gujarat in 2011 and Lok Sabha from Uttar Pradesh in 2014, she said her highest educational qualification was, B.com, Part 1 from School of Open Learning at University of Delhi.[109][110]

She later claimed that she has done B.com, Part 1 from Delhi University (not completing the full course till Part 3) in the affidavit she filed for Rajya Sabha elections from Gujarat in 2017 which stated "Bachelor of Commerce, Part 1. Three year degree course not completed".[111][110]

A freelance writer Ahmer Khan filed a complaint in April 2015 that Smriti Irani had filed an affidavit in April 2004 for the Lok Sabha elections, stating that she had completed her Bachelor of Arts in 1996 from School of Correspondence (Delhi University) but in another affidavit of 16 April 2014, filed by her for the Lok Sabha polls, it was said that she was a Bachelor of Commerce Part-I from the School of Open Learning (Delhi University). The plea said that the facts and circumstances reveal commission of offences by Smriti under section 125A (which deals with penalty of filing false affidavit and entails a jail term[112]) of the Representation of People Act, 1951.[113]

The court had on 20 November 2016 allowed the complainant's plea seeking direction to the officials of EC and DU to bring the records of Ms. Irani's qualifications after he said he was unable to place them before the court. During the hearings of the complaint, the court was told by a poll panel official that the documents filed by Ms. Irani regarding her educational qualification while filing nominations were not traceable. Also, in pursuance of the court's earlier direction, Delhi University had also submitted that the documents pertaining to Ms. Irani's BA course in 1996, as purportedly mentioned by her in an affidavit filed during 2004 Lok Sabha elections, were yet to be found.[114]

On 18 October 2016, a Delhi court said that Smriti Irani will not be summoned for the fake degree case because the petition filed against Irani questioning her college degrees was an attempt to harass her.[115] The court said that the complainant may not have filed it if she were not a central minister. Metropolitan Magistrate Harvinder Singh said that original evidence had already been lost due to the passage of years, secondary evidence wasn't enough for court. The Magistrate also said that the complainant made a "delay of 11 years" in filing the complaint against Irani.[116] This verdict of the lower court was challenged in the Delhi High Court and the court asked all the records of the case to be handed over to it in order to examine case records before deciding to summon Irani or anyone else.[117][118]

Trivialising Child Abuse

[edit]

In December 2021, while at the same time holding a portfolio of Union Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani posted an image on Instagram which read, "When I was a kid, they didn't take me to a psychologist... My mom was able to open my chakra, stabilize my karma and clean my aura with one single slap." She was widely criticised for trivialising the widely prevalent issue of child abuse in Indian households with her post and degrading the role of mental health experts.[119][120]

Silly Souls Cafe

[edit]

In July 2022, a website by the name of Herald Goa published a story on an RTI response received by lawyer Aires Rodrigues alleging that the liquor licence of Silly Souls Cafe and Bar had been renewed illegally and that Smriti Irani's family is connected with the bar. In an earlier interview on a food critic's YouTube channel, Smriti Irani's daughter agreed that the bar is owned by her. In an affidavit in Delhi High Court, Smriti Irani denied any connection of her family with the bar. Later an RTI reply revealed that the licence was issued in the name of a company linked with Irani's family.[121][122] Earlier RTI filings show that the Irani family's company and the bar has the same address and identical GST number, and that the Irani family's company's operation includes liquor sales, which requires licence according to law.[123]

Electoral history

[edit]
  • 2004 – Lost election against Kapil Sibal of Congress from Chandni Chowk, New Delhi
  • 2014 – Lost against Rahul Gandhi from Amethi (Lok Sabha constituency)
  • 2019 – Won against Rahul Gandhi from Amethi (Lok Sabha constituency)
  • 2024 – Lost against Kishori Lal Sharma from Amethi (Lok Sabha constituency)

Works and appearances

[edit]

Television

[edit]
Year Show Character
1999 Aatish Younger twin sister
2000–2008 Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi Tulsi Mihir Virani
2000 Hum Hain Kal Aaj Aur Kal
2000 Kavita Kavita
2001–2003 Kya Hadsaa Kya Haqeeqat Smriti
2001–2002 Ramayan Sita
2003 Kuch... Diiil Se Host[124]
2006–2007 Thodi Si Zameen Thoda Sa Aasmaan Uma
2007–2008 Virrudh Vasudha Sushant Sharma
2007–2008 Mere Apne Sharda
2007–2008 Teen Bahuraaniyaan Vrinda Desai
2008 Yeh Hai Jalwa Host
2008 Waaris Producer
2009–2010 Maniben.com Maniben Jamankumar Patel
2012 Savdhaan India[125] Host
2013 Ek Thhi Naayka Swati

Theatre projects

[edit]
Projects Language Character
Kuch Tum Kaho Kuch Hum Kahein Hindi Sargam
Maniben.com Gujarati Mani
Koi Taru Bau Saru Thayu Gujarati Devika
Muktidhaam Gujarati Mother
Garv Thi Kaho Ame Gujarati Chhiye Gujarati Mridula
Jai Bolo Telangana Telugu Mother

Films

[edit]
Year Film Character Language
2010 Malik Ek Personification of Dwarkamai Hindi
2011 Jai Bolo Telangana Activist Telugu
2012 Amrita Amrita Bengali

Books

[edit]

Smriti Irani's debut novel is Lal Salaam, published by Westland publishers in 2021.[126][127] It is inspired by the April 2010 Maoist attack in Dantewada and the role of the central police forces in insurgencies.[128]

Awards

[edit]
Main article: List of awards and nominations received by Smriti Irani

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Detailed Profile: Smt. Smriti tulsi Irani". India.gov.in. Archived from the original on 10 June 2014. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  2. ^ "Javdekar gets HRD, Irani shifted to Textiles". The Hindu. 5 July 2016. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  3. ^ Saha, Poulomi (8 July 2021). "Cabinet reshuffle: Meet Modi government's women ministers". India Today.
  4. ^ "Smriti Irani youngest minister in Modi govt, council gets younger in 5 years". India Today. 31 May 2019. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  5. ^ a b "Smriti Irani: I don't watch Kyunki". Rediff.com. 29 April 2005.
  6. ^ a b "India's multilingualism an asset, says Smriti Irani". The Economic Times. PTI. 21 February 2015.
  7. ^ "Bengali, Marathi, Gujarati, English... multi-lingual Smriti charms MPs". Rediff. 27 November 2014.
  8. ^ "Change of role, anyone?". Hindustan Times. 6 April 2013. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 31 August 2014.
  9. ^ "Smriti Irani Biography - About family, political life, awards won, history". elections.in. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
  10. ^ "All the PM's Men and Women: 23 Cabinet ministers". The Indian Express. 27 May 2014. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
  11. ^ "Rise of Smriti Irani: Journey from bahu of TV to BJP's Vice President". The Economic Times. 1 November 2013. Archived from the original on 2 November 2013.
  12. ^ "RSS is like a home to me, says Smriti Irani". Jagran Post. 18 April 2014. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  13. ^ "Convent School in South Delhi Robbed; Alumnus Smriti Irani Visits". NDTV.com.
  14. ^ "'Class 12 pass' and education minister?". First Post. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
  15. ^ "Smriti goes back to School". TOI.
  16. ^ "In Poll Affidavit, Union Minister Smriti Irani Says She's Not a Graduate". News18. 11 April 2019. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  17. ^ "Playing Tulsi and Sita with elan". The Tribune. 10 March 2002.
  18. ^ a b "Smriti Irani: From model to TV's favourite bahu to Cabinet minister". Firstpost. 26 May 2014.
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  26. ^ a b "Smriti turns to comedy". Deccan Herald. 5 June 2009.
  27. ^ "Playing Tulsi and Sita with elan". The Tribune. 10 March 2002. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
  28. ^ Dubey, Rachana (23 February 2010). "Smriti Irani to debut in Bengali film industry". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 13 March 2014.
  29. ^ Chatterji, Shoma A. (19 April 2012). "Soppy sentimental Bengali debut of Smriti Irani". The Indian Express.
  30. ^ a b "Smriti Irani is a front runner for the HRD ministry: Here's what you need to know about her journey from reel to real". Daily News & Analysis. 26 May 2014.
  31. ^ "Smriti Irani is now Vice-President of Yuva Morcha". Rediff News. 8 January 2004.
  32. ^ "Tulsi to go on fast unto death". The Times of India. 12 December 2004.
  33. ^ "Kyunki BJP kabhi different thi". Rediff News. 16 December 2004.
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  35. ^ "TV actor-turned-politician Smriti Irani to face Rahul Gandhi in Amethi". India Today. 4 April 2014. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
  36. ^ "Press statement issued by BJP Mahila Morcha President, Smt. Smriti Irani". Retrieved 25 May 2014.
  37. ^ "Smriti Irani advocates 'capital punishment' for rapists". The Indian Express. 2 May 2009.
  38. ^ "Smriti Irani takes over as BJP Mahila Morcha prez - Indian Express". The Indian Express. Retrieved 20 December 2019.
  39. ^ a b "Meet the Cabinet Minister | Ministry of Women & Child Development | GoI". wcd.nic.in. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
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  43. ^ "Lok Sabha polls: BJP fields Smriti Irani against Rahul Gandhi in Amethi". The Times of India. 1 April 2014.
  44. ^ "Constituencywise-All Candidates". ECI.
  45. ^ "Constituency Wise Detailed Results" (PDF). Election Commission of India. p. 153. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  46. ^ "Modi's complete cabinet: Jaitley gets Finance, Smriti Human Resources". Firstpost. 27 May 2014.
  47. ^ "Youngest and oldest in Modi's team are women – Smriti Irani and Najma Heptullah". The Times of India. 26 May 2014.
  48. ^ "Row over Smriti Irani's educational qualifications snowballs, it's Congress vs Congress now". The Times of India. PTI. 28 May 2014. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
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