Who is Rajeev Chandrasekhar? - Indian Politician and Technocrat
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Rajeev Chandrasekhar |
| Date of Birth | May 31, 1964 |
| Place of Birth | Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India |
| Education | B.E. Electrical Engineering, Manipal Institute of Technology; M.S. Computer Science, Illinois Institute of Technology |
| Political Affiliation | Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) |
| Current Positions | Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology; Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship |
| Previous Roles | Founder of BPL Mobile; Non-Executive Chairman of Jupiter Capital |
| Notable Contributions | Advocacy for Armed Forces voting rights, digital India initiatives, and anti-corruption measures |
| Awards | GOC-in-C Commendation Card from Western Command for services to Armed Forces |
Rajeev Chandrasekhar was born in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, and grew up in a family with a military background. He pursued his undergraduate studies in Electrical Engineering at the Manipal Institute of Technology, a well-known engineering college in Karnataka, India. After completing his degree, he moved to the United States to further his education, earning a Master's degree in Computer Science from the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. This institution is renowned for its rigorous academic programs and has produced many notable alumni in the field of technology and engineering.
Silicon Valley Experience
In 1985, Rajeev began his career at Intel Corporation in Silicon Valley, California, as a Senior Design Engineer. At Intel, he was part of the team that designed the 32-bit 80486 microprocessor, a significant advancement in computing at the time. He later became a CPU architect in the team that developed the Pentium microprocessor, which set new benchmarks for computer processing power and efficiency.
Entrepreneurial Ventures
Returning to India in the early 1990s, Rajeev entered the telecommunications industry by founding BPL Mobile in 1994. BPL Mobile quickly became a leading player in India's burgeoning mobile communications market. His leadership in this venture demonstrated his ability to adapt and innovate in a rapidly changing technological landscape.
Political Career and Advocacy
Rajeev's transition from business to politics began in 2006 when he was elected as an independent member of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of India's Parliament, representing Karnataka. He later joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and has been re-elected multiple times. Throughout his political career, Rajeev has been a vocal advocate for technology-driven governance reforms, digital infrastructure development, and the rights of armed forces personnel. His efforts were instrumental in enabling Armed Forces personnel to vote in their place of posting through the e-Postal Ballot system.
Contributions to Social Causes
Beyond business and politics, Rajeev is deeply involved in various social causes. He founded the Flags of Honour Foundation in 2009, which supports the families of Indian armed forces personnel. He also established the RC Foundation, which focuses on education for underprivileged children and has been involved in disaster relief and rehabilitation efforts across India.
Current Roles
As of 2021, Rajeev serves as the Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. In these roles, he continues to push for advancements in India's tech industry and skill development for the youth.
Rajeev Chandrasekhar's journey from a Silicon Valley engineer to a prominent politician and social advocate in India illustrates his multifaceted career and enduring commitment to public service and technological advancement.