Virendra Kumar: From Cycle Shop to Cabinet

Virendra Kumar, an eight-time MP and prominent Scheduled Caste face, has been inducted into the Narendra Modi government. Born into humble beginnings, Kumar once worked at his father's cycle puncture shop before earning his Ph.D. He's known for staying connected to his roots and riding his scooter around town.

In a significant move, Virendra Kumar, the eight-time MP from Tikamgarh (SC reserved) seat in Madhya Pradesh, has been inducted into the Narendra Modi government. Kumar, a prominent Scheduled Caste figure in his party, secured his fourth consecutive win in the 2019 elections, subsequent to the seat's establishment in 2008 delimitation. Prior to this, he represented the Sagar Lok Sabha seat in Bundelkhand for four terms.

Virendra Kumar's journey is nothing short of inspirational. From humble beginnings at his father's cycle puncture repair shop in Sagar, he rose to academic prominence with a Ph.D. in child labor. His political career took a significant turn in September 2017 when he was appointed as the Minister for Women and Child Development.

Even at 70, Kumar remains grounded, often seen riding his scooter and engaging with locals, especially those in the manual labor sector. His commitment to social justice dates back to his 16-month imprisonment during the Emergency and active participation in Jai Prakash Narayan's 'Sampoorna Kranti Andolan.'