Rajnath Singh - from 'Physics lecturer' to 'Union Home Minister'

New Delhi: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh turns 63 on 10 July 2014.As BJP president, Rajnath Singh played a crucial role in the spectacular victory of Narendra Modi led government in general elections 2014.It was Rajnath Singh who declared Narendra Modi as the prime ministerial candidate despite severe opposition from senior leaders like L K Advani and sushma Swaraj. After Narendra Modi led BJP won a majority in Lok Sabha elections, Narendra Modi inducted Rajnath Singh in his cabinet and entrusted him with the crucial Home Ministry.On 9th July 2014, Rajnath Singh announced that he has resigned from the president post and that BJP parliamentary board has accepted his resignation. He also announced that the parliamentary board has unanimously decided to declare Amit Shah as the new president of the party.The normally calm BJP president Rajnath Singh tries to stay away from controversial statements unlike his predecessor but is always tough whenever he issues a statement.On 23 January 2013, Rajnath Singh had taken over the reins of the party for the second time at an interesting juncture.Let us have a look at some interesting facts related to the personal and political journey of the veteran BJP leader.Born on July 10, 1951 in a small village called Bhabhaura, Rajnath hails from a Rajput family who earned bread through agricultural activities.He pursued his Masters degree in Physics from Gorakhpur University and passed with first division score.Rajnath Singh with Poonam MahajanRajnath Singh began his career as a physics lecturer in a Mirzapur college.Since the early age of 13 years, Rajnath was associated with Rashtirya Swayamsevak Sangh.Rajnath Singh is married to Savitri Singh and the couple is blessed with three children - Pankaj Singh, Neeraj Singh and Anamika SinghIn 1974, he became the secretary of the Mirzpaur unit of Bhartiya Jan Sangh.As an Education Minister in the first ever BJP government in Uttar Pradesh he played a prominent role in introducing changes in the education system.He enacted the anti-copying law in 1992 and even an enemy state like Pakistan was curious about the law enacted by him, which stopped copying in UP examinations.Rajnath Singh was also involved in ordering rewriting of history textbooks. He got vedic mathematics included in the syllabus.As Agriculture Minister in the NDA government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Rajnath Singh was instrumental in implementing Kisan credit cards and easy loans for farmers.Afer BJP's defeat in 2004 general elections, the party sat in the opposition. Veteran BJP leader LK Advani had resigned after his controversial statement eulogizing M A Jinnah and another senior leader Pramod Mahajan was assassinated by his brother. In the absence of two senior leaders, Rajnath Singh as party chief embarked on strengthening the party based on the ideology of Hindutva.Rajnath Singh is a man of strong beliefs when it comes to Ayodhya controversy. He strongly favours a "no compromise" policy on the Ram temple issue.He strongly opposes the use of English. Singh believes use of English makes youngsters ape western culture and forget their own cultural roots.Recently, his ministry issued a circular that advised states to do all official works in Hindi only. The move created confusion and it was strongly opposed by Tamil Nadu parties that included BJP allies as well. Both jayalalithaa and M Karunanidhi warned against imposing Hindi on non-Hindi speaking states.Later on, the MHA clarified that the circular was meant only for Hindi speaking states and was not binding on non-Hindi speaking states. It was after the MHA clarification that the controversy died down.As Education minister in 1992 he took initiative and got Anti Copy Act Passed.He was Last CM of undivided UP.As BJPnational president he insisted that states runs by bjp should provide loans to farmer at 1% and got it implemented.As Surface transport minister, he initiated PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee's dream project National Highway Development Project(NHDP) which included Golden Quadrilateral and NORTH SOUTH EAST WEST corridor.During his presidency, BJP become first political party to give 33% posts to Women in party organization structure.In October 2010 while Speaking in UN General Assembely as MP from India he become second leader after Shri A.B. Bajpayee to deliver his speech in hindi.