PERSONAL INFORMATION
Profession(s): Politician, Lawyer
Date of Birth: 30 August 1954 (Monday)
Age (as of 2024): 70 Years
Birthplace: Patna, Bihar, India
Zodiac sign: Virgo
Nationality: Indian
Hometown: Patna, Bihar, India
Religion: Hinduism
Caste: Kayastha
Marriage Date: February 3, 1982
Age: 70 Years
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EDUCATION
College/University: Patna University
Educational Qualification(s): • BA Honours • MA (Political Science) • LL.B degree
PHYSICAL STATISTICS
Height (approx.): 5′ 8″ (173 cm)
Eye Colour: Black
Hair Colour: Salt & Pepper
FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS
Marital Status: Married
Wife/Spouse: Maya Shankar (Professor of History at Patna University, Historian)
Children: Son – Aditya Daughter – Aditi
Parents: Father – Thakur Prasad (Rtd. Senior Advocate of Patna High Court, Politician) Mother – Bimla Prasad
Siblings: Brother – None Sister(s) – Pratibha, Anurradha Prasad (Managing Director of News 24)
Wife: Maya Shankar
MONEY FACTOR
Car(s) Collection: • Toyota Fortuner SUV, Model (DEL4CNE5118) • Honda Accord Car (DL4CAH3759) • Scorpio SUV (BR01PC3636) • Honda City Car (BR01CW0222)
Assets/Properties: Bank Fixed Deposits: ₹8 Crore Bonds, Debentures, Shares: ₹8 Crore Jewellery: ₹17 Lakhs Total Value: ₹18 Crore (as in 2014)
Net Worth (approx.): INR 18 Crore (as of 2014)
OTHER INFORMATION
Political Party: Bharatiya Janata Party
Political Journey: 1995: Became a member of National Executive Committee, Bharatiya Janata Party 2000: Elected to the Rajya Sabha 2001: Became a member of National Convener Legal Cell, BJP 2001: Became the Minister of State in the Ministry of Coal and Mines 2002: Became the Minister of State in the Ministry of Law and Justice 2003: Became the Minister of State of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (Independent Charge) 2005: Elected as the National Spokesperson of the Bharatiya Janata Party 2006: Elected to the Rajya Sabha again 2006: Became a member of Consultative Committee for Ministry of External Affairs 2009: Became the member of Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Finance 2010: Elected as the All India General Secretary & Chief National Spokesperson of BJP 2012: Elected to the Rajya Sabha 2012: Chosen as the Deputy Leader of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Rajya Sabha 2014: Minister of Law & Justice and Minister of Telecom & IT 2016: Took oath as Union Minister for Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India 2019: In the Lok Sabha Elections, he defeated Congress’ Shatrughan Sinha by a margin of 2,78,198 ballots from the Patna Sahib constituency in Bihar 2021: Resigned from Narendra Modi’s Council of Ministers ahead of the Cabinet reshuffle on 7 July 2024: Won the Patna Sahib Lok Sabha seat in Bihar by 1,53,846 votes
Address: 21, Mother Teresa Crescent, New Delhi
Hobbies: Reading
INTERESTING BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Ravi Shankar Prasad’s journey into the realm of law can be traced back to his formative years, deeply influenced by his father, a prominent lawyer at the Patna High Court and the former president of Bharatiya Jan Sangh, the political wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). This early exposure not only ignited his passion for legal matters but also shaped his character as a future advocate. His college years were marked by an impressive engagement in debates, where he showcased his eloquence and critical thinking skills. Participating in various Hindi and English competitions, he garnered numerous accolades at both the state and national levels, laying a solid foundation for his articulate advocacy.
Ravi Shankar Prasad’s dedication to social and political causes emerged during his student life when he became an active member of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). His commitment to activism was tested during the turbulent times of the Emergency in 1975 when he bravely protested against Indira Gandhi’s government and faced imprisonment for his beliefs. Following this period of activism, he embarked on his legal career in 1980, beginning his practice at the Patna High Court. His legal prowess quickly became evident, and by 1999, he earned the prestigious title of ‘senior advocate’ at the Patna High Court, followed by a similar designation at the Supreme Court of India in 2000.
As a lawyer, Prasad’s notable contributions included his pivotal role in the Fodder Scam case, where he argued a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) against the then Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, exposing significant corruption. His legal acumen further shone through when he represented ‘Ram Lalla’ in the highly publicized Ayodhya Ram temple case, underscoring his involvement in significant legal milestones in India’s history. In addition to his legal endeavors, Prasad actively championed human rights and civil liberties, reflecting his commitment to societal welfare.
His transition from the legal arena to political leadership was facilitated by his close association with Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s government. Serving as Minister of State in the Ministry of Law and Justice, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and the Ministry of Coal and Mines from 2001 to 2003, Prasad was instrumental in a range of reforms. His tenure was marked by significant initiatives, including promoting venture capital investment, enhancing the marketing of Indian films, and reforming radio and television regulations. His diplomatic capabilities were showcased during this period as he led the Indian delegation at various international platforms, including the Non-Aligned Ministerial meet in Durban, the Commonwealth Law Minister Summit in St. Vincent, and notable film festivals in London, Venice, and Cannes. In 2006, he further represented India at the 61st UN General Assembly in New York.
Throughout his political career, Ravi Shankar Prasad was dedicated to advancing the rule of law and ensuring justice for all. His efforts included amending the Representation of People’s Act to mitigate the criminalization of politics, promoting e-commerce within the country, and spearheading an ambitious $18 billion program to bring a ‘digital revolution’ to India, aiming to expand broadband internet access to approximately 250,000 villages by 2016. His leadership skills were reflected in his long-standing affiliation with the Jansangh in Bihar, where he served as president for a decade, solidifying his legacy as a prominent figure in both law and politics.
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Note: All biographical information compiled from publicly available sources.
