Profile of Prithviraj Chavan
Saturday, August 27, 2011
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Posted by: Raman Garimella
Mr. Prithviraj Chavan ('63-67) is the
Chief Minister of Maharasthra. An engineer by profession he graduated
from BITS Pilani in 1967 with a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical
Engineering. After a UNESCO scholarship in Germany, he got a Masters
degree in Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley
in the U.S.A. He worked as a research engineer in the US aerospace
industry for three years. After his return to India, Shri Chavan
founded an research facility to develop special purpose computers and
military electronic equipment. Shri Chavan is known to enjoy the
confidence of both Congress President Smt. Sonia Gandhi and Prime
Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh. Mr. Chavan is known for his
soft smile and a firm handshake that make him an instant hit with the
electorate. According to Dean Nattu ('74) - "While Alumni of
many Institutions believe in basking in the glory of their alma
mater, alumni of BITS Pilani like Prithviraj Chavan believe in adding
glory to their alma mater." We wish him the very best on behalf
of all BITSians. "I will try to take everyone's
advice and work for the betterment of Maharahstra. I accept the post
with humility," Chavan said, addressing the media after being
named as the next Chief Minister of the state. Mr. Chavan currently
holds five portfolios as a MoSD, the highest by any minister in the
UPA government, including Science and Technology, Earth sciences,
Parliamentary affairs, Public grievances and Pension and Ministry of
personnel, which includes the CBI.
Mr. Chavan has been a role model for
BITSian's wishing to enter public life. Despite his busy schedule, he
has always found time for his alma mater - a distinguished guest at
BITSAA Delhi Golden Jubilee Reunions, distinguished speaker at the
upcoming first-ever BITSAA Global Meet 2011. The organisers of BGM
2011 remain hopeful that his fondness for BITS Pilani will lure him
to the meet at New Delhi coming January, despite his newfound
responsibility. His active participation and support to BITSAA Delhi
Chapter Celebrations has been well appreciated. The best part is the
accessibility offered by him.
Prior commitments of Mr. Prithviraj
Chavan:He is a technocrat who worked in the
field of aircraft instrumentation and designing of audio recorders
for anti-submarine warfare in the US before returning to India and
becoming an entrepreneur in 1974.It was in early 90’s when Prithviraj
Chavan bumped into Rajiv Gandhi. "We have many technocrats in
the country”, said Rajiv Gandhi, "but we don’t have many who
can get elected and join politics. You have that potential!” That
is when Mr. Chavan decided to join politics and was elected to the
India parliament in 1991.
In 1991, elected to Lok Sabha (Tenth);
1991-96 Member, Consultative Committee, Ministry of Science and
Technology, Electronics, Atomic Energy; 1992-93 Member, Standing
Committee on Science and Technology; 1994-96 Member, Standing
Committee on Finance and Planning Member, Standing Committee on Rural
and Urban Development; 1995-96 Member, Committee on Public
Undertakings; 1995-96 Member, Committee on Subordinate Legislation;
1996 Re-elected to Lok Sabha (Eleventh) Secretary, Congress Party in
Parliament; 1996-97 Member, Public Accounts Committee Member,
Standing Committee on Energy Member, Consultative Committee, Ministry
of Finance; June 1997 onwards Special Invitee, Consultative
Committee, Ministry of Planning and Program Implementation and
Science and Technology Literary, Artistic and Scientific
Accomplishments, Twelfth Lok Sabha Member, Consultative Committee for
the Ministry of Home Affairs, Member, Committee on Government
Assurances (resigned on 20 November 1998)1998-99 and April
2002-Feb.2004 Member, Committee on Finance; 2000-01 Spokesperson, All
India Congress Committee (A.I.C.C.); April 2002 Elected to Rajya
Sabha; Aug. 2002-Feb. 2004 Member, Consultative Committee for the
Ministry of Defence; May 2004 onwards Minister of State in the Prime
Minister's Office.
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