Anandiben Jethabhai Patel (born 21 November 1941) is an Indian politician who has been one of the MLAs of Gujarat since 1998. She is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) since 1987. She is currently the Cabinet Minister of Road and Building, Revenue, Urban development and Urban Housing, Disaster Management and Capital Projects in the Government of Gujarat.
She is considered to be the front runner for the role of Chief Minister of Gujarat, if Narendra Modi moves to Delhi post parliament elections 2014. Indian Express has listed her in top 100 most influential people of India this year.
Anandiben Patel has been a key leader in the BJP cadre of Gujarat, alongside former Chief Minister of Gujarat Keshubhai Patel and present Chief Minister Narendrabhai Modi. At present, she is one of the longest serving women MLAs in Gujarat. She started her political journey as a Member of Rajyasabha in 1994 and moved to Gujarat during the state elections in 1998. She is currently the only Woman MLA of Gujarat to be elected 4 consecutive times. It is also her fourth consecutive term as a Cabinet Minister in the Government of Gujarat.
She is considered to be the front runner for the role of Chief Minister of Gujarat, if Narendra Modi moves to Delhi post parliament elections 2014. Indian Express has listed her in top 100 most influential people of India this year.
Anandiben Patel has been a key leader in the BJP cadre of Gujarat, alongside former Chief Minister of Gujarat Keshubhai Patel and present Chief Minister Narendrabhai Modi. At present, she is one of the longest serving women MLAs in Gujarat. She started her political journey as a Member of Rajyasabha in 1994 and moved to Gujarat during the state elections in 1998. She is currently the only Woman MLA of Gujarat to be elected 4 consecutive times. It is also her fourth consecutive term as a Cabinet Minister in the Government of Gujarat.
Early life
Anandiben Patel was born on 21 November 1941, in Kharod village of Vijapur taluka of Mehsana district. Her father Jethabhai was a farmer. She completed her education till 4th grade in Girls’ school but was admitted to Boys’ school as there was no other school in the district. She studied as a single girl among 700 boys. She moved to Nutan Sarv Vidyalay in Visnagar in 8th grade. She was awarded “VeerBala” award in Mehsana for her outstanding achievement in athletics.She joined Bhilvai College in 1960 and was the only girl in First Year Science in entire college. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Visnagar later. She joined Mahila Vikas Gruh for the upliftment of women as her first job. She took vocational courses for more than 50 widows.
She moved to Ahmedabad in 1965 with her husband Mafatbhai Patel and joined Master of Science. She took the responsibility of educating all the children of her extended family in Ahmedabad. In those days, more than 10 of her family member used to stay at her place in Ahmedabad. She joined Bachelor of Education to pursue her interest in teaching.
She joined as a primary school teacher in Mohniba School Vidyalaya in 1970. She declined all the other offers only to stay with Mohniba School Vidyalaya for 30 years even while she was in important political positions.
Personal life
Anandiben is a vegetarian. She is known for leading a frugal lifestyle and is known for her tremendous administrative efficiency. She travels extensively across the state to meet local government officials and mentor them on execution. She is very fond of children and does not miss on any opportunity to interact or teach kids. She has two children Sanjay Patel and Anar Patel.
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