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The first woman speaker of Lok Sabha is Meira Kumar. She served the 15th Lok Sabha from 2019- 2014. She created history in India by being the first woman speaker of the Lok Sabha in 2009. Her rising career in politics made her become one of the strong advocates for women’s rights and inclusivity. Kumar belonged to a Dalit family that was politically active. Before joining politics, she joined the Indian Foreign Service and served for almost a decade. Rajiv Gandhi, the erstwhile Prime Minister asked Meira Kumar to come to India, after being posted to Madrid and London, and join politics because she will have a good future here.
Biography of Meira Kumar
| Born | March 31, 1945 |
| Birthplace | Patna (now in Bihar state), India |
| Mother | Indrani Devi |
| Father | Jagjivan Ram |
| Occupation | Indian diplomat, politician, government official |
| Speaker of Lok Sabha | 2009 to 2014 |
| Notable Achievement | First woman to hold the position of Speaker of Lok Sabha |
| Education | B.A. and M.A. in English literature, LL.B from the University of Delhi |
| Family Background | Born into a political family of Dalit origin |
| Role in the Independence Movement | Prominent figure in the Indian independence movement |
| Government Positions | Minister of Defense (1977-1979)Deputy Prime Minister (briefly in 1979) |
| Contributions | Advocate of independence, social worker |
Legacy of Meira Kumar
Meira Kumar is not just an active member of politics but she is also an epitome of women empowerment. She became an inspiration for women throughout India after being the first woman Lok Sabha speaker. With immense contributions to politics, decision-making, governance, and parliamentary proceedings, Mrs. Kumar served as the minister of social justice and empowerment in 2004.
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This is all about the powers of the vice president of India. For more content related to the different states of India, visit our Civics and Polity archives.