Sheila Dixit Biography

About Sheila Dikshit

Sheila Dikshit is a well-known figure in Indian politics who belongs to the Indian National Congress party. A powerful administrator and leader, she has been elected Chief Minister of Delhi thrice since 1998. She has a record of leading her party to three consecutive victories in New Delhi constituency in the Legislative Assembly of Delhi. Sheila Dikshit is the second female Chief Minister of Delhi after Sushma Swaraj.

Personal Background

Sheila Dikshit was born on March 31, 1938 in Kapurthala, Punjab. She completed her schooling in the Convent of Jesus and Mary School, New Delhi. She did her Masters in History from Miranda House College of University of Delhi. She is also a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Delhi. Her husband, Late Vinod Dikshit worked as an officer in the Indian Administrative Services (IAS). Sheila Dikshit has one son, Sandeep Dikshit, and one daughter, Latika Syed. Sandeep Dikshit is a member of the Indian National Congress. He was also a Member of Parliament (MP) in the 15th Lok Sabha of India.

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Professional Background

In the 1970s, Sheila Dikshit was the chairperson of the Young Women’s Association. During this period, she helped set up two of the most successful working women’s hostel in Delhi. After that, Dikshit also worked for Garment Exporters' Association as an executive secretary.

Sheila's Entry in Politics

Sheila Dikshit's entry into Indian politics was accidental. Late Uma Shankar Dikshit, her father-in-law, was a renowned activist during India's independence struggle. He later became a union cabinet minister in the Indira Gandhi government. Sheila Dikshit used to help her father-in-law a lot while he was serving in this position . The former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi acknowledged her administrative skills and nominated Dikshit as an Indian delegate of the United Nations Commission on the issue of status of women. This marked her entry in Indian politics, which led her eventually to become the chief minister of Delhi.

Achievements of Sheila Dikshit

• Chairperson of Young Women’s Association in the early 1970s.
• Member of Parliament representing Kannauj constituency of Uttar Pradesh from 1984 to 1989.
• Member of the Lok Sabha's Estimates Committee.
• Chaired the Implementation Committee formed to commemorate forty years of Indian Independence and the centenary of Jawaharlal Nehru.
• Represented India at the United Nations Commission on the status of women from 1984 to 1989.
• Union minister from 1986 to 1989, handling two positions as minister of state in the prime minister's office and as minister of state for parliamentary affairs, showing her mettle in administrative and parliamentary matters.
• Led the movement against atrocities on women in 1990.
• Chief minister of Delhi for three consecutive terms from 1998 to 2013.
• Governor of Kerala from March to August 2014.

Different Departments Held by Sheila Dikshit

• General Administration Department
• Public Relations
• Higher Education
• Training & Technical Education
• Administrative Reforms
• Home Department
• Legislative Affairs and Law & Justice
• Services Department
• Vigilance Department
• Water
• Art & Culture
• Environment, Forest & Wild Life Department

Controversies Surrounding Sheila Dikshit

• In 2009, she was accused by advocate Sunita Bhardwaj, a BJP activist, of misusing funds sanctioned by the central government for Rajiv Ratan Awas Yojana for personal advertisements. In 2013, she was found guilty by the ombudsman court, which ordered an FIR against her.
• In 2009, Dikshit was criticized when she granted parole to Manu Sharma, who is convicted for a life sentence for murdering Jessica Lal.
• In 2010, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) allegedly accused Dikshit of corruption and irregularities related to street-light equipment that were imported to the city during the Commonwealth Games that year.

Awards Won by Sheila Dikshit

• Best Chief Minister in 2008 by Journalist Association of India
• Politician of the Year Award in 2009 by NDTV
• Delhi Women of the Decade Achievers Awards in 2013 by Assocham