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Ramnath Kovind: A Lawyer From Dalit Community to The Presidential Palace

Ramnath Kovind, an Indian politician, Lawyer and the 14th President of India, has a journey that is nothing short of remarkable. Hailing from a Dalit community in the pre-independence era, he has defied all odds and paved his way to the presidential palace, showcasing exceptional leadership skills and dedication.

His service to the nation in multiple roles, even after his presidential stint, is a testimony to his dedication and commitment. As an accomplished lawyer, he has participated in numerous panels, providing invaluable insights to improve policies and lawmaking.

Recently, a high-level committee led by him submitted its report on simultaneous polls across the nation, a significant contribution that is currently under scrutiny by the cabinet. Let’s dive into the detailed biography of Ramnath Kovind, the 14th President of India, and be inspired by his journey.

Early Life & Education

Ramnath Kovind was born in Paraunkh, near Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, to Shri Maiku Lal and Smt Kalawati as the youngest of five brothers and three sisters. He was academically inclined and even walked 8 kilometres everyday to attend school during his childhood.

Coming from a marginalised community, his family lived in a thatched hut. When Kovind was five, his mother succumbed to burns when their hut caught fire.
Despite facing loss and grief early on in life, he completed his schooling in Kanpur and obtained a Bachelor’s of Commerce and went on to pursue an L.L.B. from DAV College, Kanpur University. Upon completing his L.L.B.

Personal Information

Full Name	Ramnath Kovind
Date of Birth	1 October 1945
Place of Birth	Paraunkh, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh
Father’s Name	Shri Maiku Lal Kovind
Mother’s Name	Smt Kalawati Kovind
Spouse	Smt Savitri Kovind
Occupation	Politician, Lawyer

Career

After completing his L.L.B. from D.A.V. College, Kanpur, Kovind prepared for the Civil Services and made it on the third attempt, but he did not join the service. Instead, he registered with the Bar Council of Delhi in 1971 and started practising law where he served in various roles for about 20 years.

Personal Assistant to PM Morarji Desai (1977-1978)
Central Government Advocate in the Delhi High Court (1977-1979)
Advocate on record of the Supreme Court of India (1978)
Standing counsel for the Central Government in the Supreme Court of India (1980-1993)
Rajya Sabha M.P. (1994-2006)

As an advocate, Shri Ramnath Kovind provided free legal aid to the poor, women and marginalised sections of the society.

Entry in Politics

Aspiring to bring about positive change, Kovind joined the BJP in 1991, entered the Parliament as a Rajya Sabha member in 1994, and served for two consecutive terms totalling 12 years until March 2006. During this stint, he also served as the president of BJP Dalit Morcha and All India Koli Samaj.

As a member of Parliament, he also served on numerous panels and parliamentary committees on the welfare of SCs and STs, Home Affairs, Petroleum and Natural Gas, Social Justice and Empowerment, etc.

As a Parliamentarian, he used members of Parliament local area development funds (MPLADS) and focused on education in rural areas by helping to construct school buildings in these areas.

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University Lucknow appointed him to the board of management. Additionally, he also served on the Board of Governors of IIM Calcutta.

On 16 August 2015, he took charge as the Governor of Bihar and served for about two years before his resignation in June 2017 as he was nominated for presidential elections.

After winning the presidential polls, Ramnath Kovind took oath as the 14th President of India on 25 July 2017 and served until his term ended on 21 July 2022.

He also headed a high-powered committee formed by the union government in September 2023 to study the feasibility of simultaneous elections in India.

During his tenure as the President of India, Ram Nath Kovind undertook state visits to 33 countries up until June 2022, which helped to increase India’s global presence and influence. Additionally, he was bestowed with the highest state honours from six different countries, including Madagascar, Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini, Croatia, Bolivia, and the Republic of Guinea.

In May 2018, Ram Nath Kovind, as the supreme commander of the armed forces of India, visited troops deployed at ‘Kumar Post’ in Ladakh’s Siachen, the highest battlefield in the world.

A long-time advocate of egalitarianism and integrity in Indian public life and society, Shri Ram Nath Kovind stands tall as a beacon for all the people from marginalised sections of society. He is only the second Dalit President of India after K.R. Narayanan and a shining example of how a dream can be made into a goal and can be achieved if one persists in the efforts.