Politics – Prime Minister Leads Birthday Wishes for Union Minister Annapurna Devi

Politics – Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday conveyed warm birthday greetings to Union Cabinet Minister Annapurna Devi, acknowledging her sustained contributions to programmes focused on women and child development across the country.

In a message shared on social media platform X, the Prime Minister praised her public service record and highlighted her role in strengthening welfare measures for women and children. He extended his prayers for her long life and good health, noting that her work has had a meaningful impact on some of the nation’s most important social initiatives.

Leaders Across Parties Extend Greetings

Birthday wishes for the Union Minister also came from several senior political leaders. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath offered his congratulations, expressing hopes for her continued good health and success. In his message, he invoked blessings for a long and productive life dedicated to public service.

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari also joined in, describing Annapurna Devi as a valued colleague in the Union Cabinet. He wished her well-being and happiness, reflecting the respect she commands among peers in the central government.

Current Role in the Union Government

Annapurna Devi presently serves as the Union Minister for Women and Child Development, a portfolio that places her at the centre of policy efforts aimed at improving nutrition, education, safety, and overall welfare for women and children. Her ministry oversees several flagship schemes designed to address social inequalities and support vulnerable groups, making the role a key component of the government’s social development agenda.

Since assuming this responsibility, she has been associated with initiatives focused on strengthening institutional support systems and expanding access to essential services for women and children in both urban and rural areas.

Early Political Career and Bihar Tenure

Her political journey began in Bihar, where she was elected to the Legislative Assembly in 1998, 2000, and 2005. During this period, she gained administrative experience and built a reputation as a committed grassroots leader. In 2000, she served as Minister of State for the Ministry of Mines and Geology in the Bihar government, marking her entry into executive responsibilities.

These early years laid the foundation for her later roles, allowing her to develop a strong understanding of governance and public administration.

Responsibilities in Jharkhand Government

Following the formation of Jharkhand, Annapurna Devi continued her political work in the new state. Between 2012 and 2014, she held Cabinet-level positions handling departments such as Irrigation, Women and Child Welfare, and Registration. Her work during this period included efforts to improve service delivery and strengthen departmental coordination.

She also served as Chairperson of the Committee on Women and Child Welfare in the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly from 2005 to 2009, where she played a role in reviewing policies and recommending measures to enhance support systems for women and children.

Role at the National Level

In 2019, she was elected to the 17th Lok Sabha, marking her transition to national politics. From July 2021, she served as Union Minister of State in the Ministry of Education. During her tenure, she chaired an expert committee tasked with revising the Right to Education Act in alignment with the National Education Policy 2020, contributing to discussions on long-term reforms in the education sector.

Recent Electoral Success and Academic Background

Annapurna Devi was re-elected to the Lok Sabha in the 2024 general elections from the Koderma Parliamentary Constituency in Jharkhand. Alongside her ministerial duties, she has been associated with the Committee on Empowerment of Women and consultative committees of the Ministries of Power and New and Renewable Energy between 2019 and 2021.

She holds a postgraduate degree from Ranchi University, adding an academic foundation to her extensive experience in public life.