Nitish Kumar, the current Chief Minister of Bihar and a prominent figure in Indian politics, has a life story deeply intertwined with the fortunes of his state. Born on March 1, 1951 (Age – 72 Years) , in Bakhtiarpur, Bihar, zodiac sign is Pisces.
Kumar’s roots lie in a Kurmi agricultural family. His father, an Ayurvedic practitioner, instilled in him a strong sense of social responsibility. After completing his schooling in Bihar, Kumar earned a degree in mechanical engineering from the Bihar College of Engineering (now NIT Patna) in 1972. He briefly worked at the Bihar State Electricity Board before entering politics in 1985.
Political Entry and Rise
Kumar’s political career began with the Janata Dal, later transitioning to the Samata Party. He became an MLA in 1985 and held various ministerial positions at the state and national levels. His first stint as Chief Minister was a brief one in 2000, but his subsequent terms, particularly from 2005 to 2014, saw him emerge as a transformative leader.
Transforming Bihar
- Governance: He implemented reforms, including public service delivery systems like “Janata Darbar” (public hearings), to improve transparency and accountability.
- Infrastructure: Investments in roads, bridges, and power grids boosted connectivity and economic activity.
- Social Indicators: Education reforms like the “Kanyadan” scheme for girls’ education and initiatives for women’s empowerment showed positive impact.
- Law and Order: Crackdowns on crime and improved police infrastructure led to a decline in crime rates.
Further Exploration
- Books: His autobiography, “Vikasit Bihar Ki Khoj,” offers personal insights.
- News and Articles: Follow recent developments and analyses of his leadership.
- Documentaries: Films like “Nitish Kumar: The Man Who Changed Bihar” provide visual narratives.
Nitish kumar Net Worth
Nitish Kumar, the Chief Minister of Bihar, has declared his total assets to be worth approximately ₹1.64 crore, according to the details posted on the Cabinet Secretariat Department’s website in January 2024.
Movable assets
- Cash: Rs 22,552
- Bank deposits: Rs 49,202
- Gold ornaments: 30 tolas
- Silver utensils: 5 kg
- Silver coins: 82 pieces
- Ginni: 5 pieces
Immovable assets
- Flat in Dwarka area, Delhi
- Inherited ancestral agricultural land and non-agricultural land in Bakhtiyarpur, Bihar
- Plot at Kankarbagh, Patna
Nitish Kumar Family
- Spouse / Wife (deceased): Manju Kumari Sinha (1955-2007) was a teacher whom Nitish Kumar married in 1973. Sadly, she passed away in 2007.
- Son: Nishant Kumar is the only son of Nitish Kumar and Manju Sinha. He is an engineer by profession and chooses to stay away from the limelight.
- Father: Kaviraj Ram Lakhan Singh was an Ayurvedic practitioner.
- Mother: Parmeshwari Devi hailed from Nepal.
- Brother: Ram Nath Thakur is a politician who has served as a member of the Rajya Sabha and a minister in the Bihar government.
Nitish Kumar belongs to the Kurmi caste, which is classified as an Other Backward Class (OBC) in India.
Nitish Kumar Educational Qualification
- Degree: B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering
- Institution: Bihar College of Engineering (NIT Patna)
- Year of Graduation: 1972
First
- His first job: After graduating with a degree in electrical engineering, Nitish Kumar briefly worked for the Bihar State Electricity Board before entering politics.
- First political position: Nitish Kumar’s first foray into politics was in 1974 when he participated in Jayaprakash Narayan’s movement against the then-ruling Congress government.
- First elected office: Nitish Kumar was elected to the Bihar Legislative Assembly in 1985 (Party – Janata Dal), marking the beginning of his formal political career.
Nitish Kumar’s hometown is Bakhtiarpur (village name), a town located in the Patna district of Bihar, India.
Nitish Kumar Bihar CM Office
- Address: Chief Minister’s Secretariat, 1, Deshratnu Marg, Patna-800001, Bihar, India
- Phone: +91 612 221 5601
- Website: https://cmo.bihar.gov.in/
Nitish Kumar Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)) political party
- Founded: 1996
- Political ideology: Center-left, social democracy, secularism
- Base: Primarily active in eastern and north-eastern India, with strong presence in Bihar
- Early Years (1980s): Nitish Kumar began his political career in the 1980s as a member of the Janata Dal party.
- Samata Party (1994-2005): He later co-founded the Samata Party with Lalu Prasad Yadav in 1994 and became its president.
- Return to Janata Dal (United) (2005-present): In 2005, Nitish Kumar formed the Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)) party and has remained its leader ever since.
- Current status: Recognized as a state party in Bihar, Arunachal Pradesh, and Manipur. JD(U) is part of the ruling coalition in Bihar but not at the national level.
Nitish Kumar's quotes
Development & Governance:
- “Education & health are development’s cornerstones.”
- “We’ll create a Bihar with equal opportunities for all.”
- “No compromise on corruption & crime.”
Politics & Alliances:
- “Politics is about serving the people, not power.”
- “Open to alliances, but development & good governance are key.”
Social Issues:
- “Building a safe & respectful society for everyone.”
- “Fighting for rights of marginalized sections.”
- “Education breaks the cycle of poverty & inequality.”
Humorous:
- “Not a saint, but not a thief either.”
- “Happy serving Bihar, not interested in PM post.”
- “Enjoy taking risks, actions speak louder than words.”
Nitish Kumar: A Life Timeline
Early Life and Education (1951-1974)
- 1951: Born in Bakhtiarpur, Bihar, to an Ayurvedic practitioner father and a mother from Nepal.
- 1972: Earns a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the Bihar College of Engineering (now NIT Patna).
- 1973: Marries Manju Kumari Sinha, a school teacher.
- 1974: Briefly works for the Bihar State Electricity Board before entering politics.
Entry into Politics (1985-1990s)
- 1985: Elected to the Bihar Legislative Assembly as a member of the Janata Dal.
- 1990s: Holds various ministerial positions in the Bihar government.
- 1994: Co-founds the Samata Party with Lalu Prasad Yadav.
- 1995-2000: Serves as Chief Minister of Bihar for the first time.
First Chief Ministership and Rise to Prominence (2000-2005)
- 2000: Became Chief Minister of Bihar for the first time, heading a coalition government.
- Focused on improving law and order, infrastructure, and education.
- Gained popularity for his clean image and efficient administration.
- 2005: Resigned as Chief Minister due to differences with his coalition partners.
Founding JD(U) and Second Chief Ministership (2005-2014)
- 2005: Formed the Janata Dal (United) party.
- 2005-2014: Served as Chief Minister of Bihar for three consecutive terms, heading coalition governments with the BJP.
- Continued focus on development and governance reforms.
- Implemented prohibition of alcohol, which remains a controversial policy.
- 2013: JD(U) severed ties with the BJP due to Narendra Modi’s elevation as the party’s Prime Ministerial candidate.
Mahagathbandhan and Third Chief Ministership (2014-2017)
- 2014: Joined hands with the RJD and Congress to form the Mahagathbandhan government in Bihar.
- 2015: Became Chief Minister for the fourth time.
- 2017: JD(U) broke ties with the Mahagathbandhan and rejoined the BJP-led NDA alliance.
Return to NDA and Fourth Chief Ministership (2017-Present)
- 2017-2022: Served as Chief Minister in two more terms under the NDA alliance.
- Focused on economic development, infrastructure projects, and social welfare schemes.
- 2022: JD(U) again severed ties with the BJP and formed a new Mahagathbandhan government with the RJD and other parties.
- 2023: Became Chief Minister for the eighth time, breaking the record for most terms held in Bihar.
