ARUN JAITLEY

Arun Jaitley (28th December, 1952) was an Indian politician and attorney who played a pivotal role in shaping India's economic and legislative landscape. A member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Jaitley served as the Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs of the Government of India from 2014 to 2019. He held several significant cabinet portfolios in both the Vajpayee and Modi governments, including Finance, Defence, Corporate Affairs, Commerce and Industry, and Law and Justice.

Born into a Punjabi Hindu Brahmin family in Delhi, Jaitley began his legal career in 1977 after completing his LL.B. from the Faculty of Law, University of Delhi. His early political activism with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and leadership during the anti-corruption movement of the 1970s marked the beginning of his influential journey in Indian politics.

Jaitley's association with the BJP started in 1991, where he held various leadership positions, including spokesperson and member of the national executive. His tenure as Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha from 2009 to 2014 showcased his strategic acumen and legislative prowess, advocating for significant constitutional amendments and policy reforms.

Appointed as the Union Finance Minister in 2014, Jaitley spearheaded landmark economic initiatives such as the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and demonetization. His policies aimed at combating corruption and enhancing fiscal discipline left a lasting impact on India's economic framework.

Outside politics, Jaitley's legal career flourished as a Senior Advocate in the Supreme Court of India, representing diverse clients including multinational corporations. His contributions to law and governance were recognized with the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian award, conferred posthumously in 2020 for his exceptional service in Public Affairs.

Jaitley's personal life was marked by his marriage to Sangeeta, daughter of former Jammu and Kashmir finance minister Girdhari Lal Dogra, in May 1982. They had two children, Rohan Jaitley and Sonali Jaitley, both accomplished lawyers.

Despite battling various health challenges, including multiple surgeries and a rare form of soft-tissue sarcoma, Jaitley's dedication to public service remained unwavering. His legacy endures through the renaming of Delhi's Feroz Shah Kotla stadium to Arun Jaitley Stadium in September 2019, and the unveiling of a statue in his honor at the stadium in December 2020.

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