Ram Nath Kovind
Who was Ram Nath Kovind?
Lawyer and politician who served as the 14th President of India from 2017 to 2022, becoming the second Dalit to hold the office.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Ram Nath Kovind (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Ram Nath Kovind was born on October 1, 1945, in the Kanpur Dehat district of Uttar Pradesh, into a Dalit family. He studied at DAV College in Kanpur and then attended Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University. After finishing law school, he practiced law in the Delhi High Court and Supreme Court of India, building a strong reputation before moving into politics in 1993. His law career lasted nearly 20 years and gave him a deep understanding of constitutional and civil issues.
Kovind joined the Bharatiya Janata Party and was elected to the Rajya Sabha from Uttar Pradesh for two consecutive terms. In the upper house of Parliament, he served on different committees and concentrated on issues affecting marginalized communities. His skills and dedication to public service impressed senior party leaders, and he was appointed Governor of Bihar in 2015, serving until 2017.
In 2017, Kovind was chosen as the BJP's candidate for President of India and won the election decisively, receiving backing from many political parties. He became the 14th President of India and the second person from the Dalit community to take this role, after K. R. Narayanan. His presidency focused on education, especially for underprivileged groups, and on promoting social harmony.
During his five-year term from 2017 to 2022, Kovind traveled widely, both in India and abroad, attending various diplomatic events. He was honored internationally with awards such as the Order of the Condor of the Andes, National Order of Madagascar, Grand Order of King Tomislav, and National Order of Merit. He is married to Savita Kovind, and together they have supported social causes throughout their public life.
Before Fame
Growing up in rural Uttar Pradesh in a Dalit family during the 1940s and 1950s, Kovind dealt with the typical social and economic challenges of his community at that time. Despite limited resources, he went on to pursue higher education and chose law as his profession, which was quite uncommon for someone from his background back then. Deciding to practice in Delhi's higher courts instead of staying in local practice showed his ambition and confidence in his legal skills.
Kovind's early career happened during a time of significant political and social changes in India, including growing political awareness among Dalits and other marginalized groups. His move from law to politics in 1993 took place when the BJP was broadening its social reach and seeking representation from various communities in Indian society.
Key Achievements
- Served as the 14th President of India from 2017 to 2022
- Became the second Dalit to hold the office of President
- Served as Governor of Bihar from 2015 to 2017
- Elected to Rajya Sabha for two consecutive terms representing Uttar Pradesh
- Received four international honors during his presidency
Did You Know?
- 01.He practiced law for 16 years before entering politics, specializing in civil and constitutional matters
- 02.He was the first person from Uttar Pradesh to become President of India
- 03.During his presidency, he was the first President to travel to Iceland, establishing new diplomatic connections
- 04.He served as the national spokesperson for the All India Koli Samaj, representing the fishing community's interests
- 05.He was a member of the Board of Management of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar University in Lucknow
Family & Personal Life
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Order of the Condor of the Andes | — | — |
| National Order of Madagascar | — | — |
| Grand Order of King Tomislav | — | — |
| National Order of Merit | — | — |