Suresh Prabhu is 64 and the current commander of Indian Railways. Better known for the presentation of his railway budget on 25th February 2016, without launching a single train. Suresh Prabhu is currently leading world’s third largest railway network i.e. Indian railways. A man full of ideas and zero corruption changed the face of Indian railways.
Here are some interesting facts about Suresh Prabhu, the 43rd Railway Minister of India which you should know:
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1. Born on 11th July 1953
Suresh Prabhu was born on 11th July 1953. His birthplace being Mumbai, Maharashtra, Suresh Prabhu was born to Prabhakar Prabhu and Sumati Devi.
2. Full name
Prabhu’s father name is Prabhakar, so his full name is Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu.
3. Basic Education
He completed his high school education from Sharadashram Vidya Mandir, Dadar, Mumbai, and then went to M.L. Dahanukar College, Vile Parle, Mumbai to get Bachelor degree in Commerce.
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4. Chartered Accountant by profession
Prabhu is Chartered Accountant by profession and an associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.
On top of that he achieved all India 11th rank in CA exam.
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5. Bachelor in Law
Suresh Prabhu received a Bachelor in Law degree from the New Law College, Ruparel College campus, Mumbai.
6. Currently pursuing Ph.D
He is currently pursuing two PhDs on climate change and economics from Germany and Mumbai respectively.
7. Married to Uma Prabhu
Suresh Prabhu is married to journalist Uma Prabhu and they have a son Ameya Prabhu.
8. Held various posts during Atal Bihari Vajpayee government – 1998 to 2004
Suresh Prabhu hehld various ministery posts during Vajpayee government of 1998 to 2004, he went on to become, Industry Minister, Minister of Environment and Forests, Minister of Fertilizers & Chemicals, Power, Heavy Industry and Public Enterprises.
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9. Chairman of Task Force for Interlinking of Rivers
Suresh Prabhu was the Chairman of Task Force for inter-linking rivers with a rank of Union Cabinet Minister. A project that was very close to Vajpayee’s heart.
10. Credited for Electricity Act of 2003
Suresh Prabhu is known for authorizing The Electricity Act of 2003, that helped to create securitization of dues from the states.
11. Elected four times to lok sabha
Suresh Prabhu has been elected four times as Member of Parliament from Rajapur Lok Sabha constituency in Maharashtra, from 1996 to 2009, as a member of Shiv Sena.
He lost his seat in the 2009 general election.
12. Quit Shiv Sena in 2014
Suresh Prabhu quit Shiv Sena and joined BJP on 9th November 2014 under the cabinet of Narendra Modi’s government.
13. 43rd Railway Minister of India
Suresh Prabhu was sworn in as Union Railway Minister of India on 9th November 2014. He is the 43rd railway minister of India.
14. Focused on facilities in Indian Railway
Suresh Prabhu is the only Railway Minister in the history of India who introduced railway budget without launching a single train during 2015-2016 fiscal year. His agenda is to focus more on facilities.
15. Runs an NGO
Suresh Prabhu also runs a NGO called Manav Sadhan Vikas Sanstha, a public charitable trust which was formed in 1998.
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The NGO works for empowerment of the people.
16. Modi’s Sherpa
Suresh Prabhu is also known as Modi’s blue eyed boy and called Modi’s “Sherpa” from the time he assisted him at the G20 submit in Brisbane.
17. Using power of Social Media to help people
Suresh Prabhu is very popular on twitter and there are many successful stories of helping people in need within minutes.
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18. Awards
Suresh Prabhu received the Goud Saraswat Brahmin Samaj Maharatha Award on 18 August 2016.
19. One of three future leaders of India
Asia week rated him as one of three future leaders of India to watch in 2000.
20. Member of Rajya Sabha
Prabhu has been Member of Rajya Sabha for haryana from 29th November 2014 to 21 June 2016 and currently represents Andhra Pradesh as a Member of Parliament of Rajya Sabha.
