Early Life and Education
Deepender Singh Hooda is a politician affiliated with the Indian National Congress (INC). Born on January 4, 1978, in Delhi, he has represented the Rohtak constituency in Haryana multiple times and has held significant positions within his party.
Hailing from a family deeply rooted in public service, Deepender is the son of Bhupinder Singh Hooda, a senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister of Haryana. His grandfather, Ranbir Singh Hooda, was a freedom fighter and a member of the Constituent Assembly. Deepender completed his schooling at Mayo College in Ajmer and Delhi Public School, R.K. Puram, New Delhi. He earned a Bachelor of Technology degree from Maharshi Dayanand University in Rohtak, Haryana, in 1999, where he was the second topper in his class. He further pursued an MBA from the Kelley School of Business, Indiana University, USA, majoring in Finance and Strategy.
Political Career
Deepender’s political journey began in 2005 when he was elected to the 14th Lok Sabha from Rohtak, succeeding his father. He served three consecutive terms in the Lok Sabha until 2019. In 2020, he was elected to the Rajya Sabha from Haryana and served until 2024. In the 2024 general elections, he reclaimed the Rohtak seat in the 18th Lok Sabha. Throughout his tenure, he has been a special invitee to the Congress Working Committee, the executive committee of the INC.
Major Achievements
Deepender has been recognized for his contributions to rural development and parliamentary practices. In 2010, he received the Bharat Asmita Jana Pratinidhi Shreshta award for his work towards rural development through education and power generation. The following year, the World Economic Forum named him a Young Global Leader. In 2019, he was honored with the Shresth Sansad Award, acknowledging his effectiveness as a parliamentarian.
Key Political Initiatives
During his tenure, Deepender has been involved in various parliamentary committees, including those on Energy, Finance, External Affairs, Agriculture, and Human Resource Development. He has also served as the chairman of the Indo-UK Forum of Parliamentarians. His legislative focus has been on rural development, education, and power generation.
MP Deepender Singh Hooda raised concerns over the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, highlighting delayed claim settlements and inadequate compensation. He urged a review to ensure timely and fair payouts for farmers. (Bhaskar)
MP Deepender Singh Hooda, along with Congress MPs and MLAs, visited the Khanauri border to meet Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on a 24-day hunger strike. Hooda urged the government to accept farmers’ demands for an MSP guarantee and implement the 2021 agreement to resolve the issue immediately. (TOI)
Contributions
Beyond his legislative duties, Deepender has been active in promoting education and rural development in Haryana. He has initiated various programs aimed at improving educational infrastructure and access in rural areas. His efforts have been instrumental in bringing attention to the developmental needs of his constituency.
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Personal Life
In 2010, Deepender married Sweta Mirdha, granddaughter of Nathuram Mirdha, a respected Congress leader from Rajasthan. The couple has a son named Kesarvir. Deepender’s personal life reflects a blend of political legacy and commitment to public service.
Legacy and Future Prospects
As a fourth-generation politician, Deepender Singh Hooda continues to uphold his family’s legacy of public service. His consistent focus on rural development, education, and infrastructure positions him as a key figure in Haryana’s political landscape. With his re-election to the Lok Sabha in 2024, he is poised to further his agenda of inclusive growth and development for his constituency.
Promises and Future Commitments
In his 2024 election campaign, Deepender emphasized several key commitments:
- Infrastructure Development: Pledged to enhance road connectivity and public transportation in rural areas.
- Educational Reforms: Promised to establish more schools and vocational training centers to equip youth with necessary skills.
- Healthcare Facilities: Committed to improving healthcare infrastructure, including setting up primary health centers in underserved regions.
1. Advocating for Farmers’ Rights
Hooda has consistently raised concerns about the declining payouts under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). In a recent parliamentary session, he highlighted a significant 90% reduction in crop insurance claims for Haryana farmers in 2023-24, urging the government to address this alarming decrease to prevent financial distress among farmers.
2. Oversight of Development Projects
As the chairman of the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee in Rohtak, Hooda has been proactive in ensuring timely completion of development projects. He has directed officials to expedite infrastructure works, such as repairing lights at IIM Chowk on NH-9 and completing the ring road from Gohana Road to Jind Road, emphasizing the importance of adhering to project timelines.
3. Participation in Legislative Committees
Hooda has been appointed to a 31-member parliamentary committee tasked with examining the Income Tax Bill. This committee, formed by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, is responsible for reviewing the bill aimed at simplifying tax language and concepts, reflecting Hooda’s active role in legislative processes.
4. Support for Local Governance
Demonstrating his commitment to strengthening local governance, Hooda accompanied Congress candidate Amisha Chawla during the filing of nominations for the Ambala City mayoral election. He criticized the incumbent BJP government for neglecting critical issues such as inadequate infrastructure, sewage problems, and youth deportations, advocating for urgent solutions to these challenges.
5. Promoting Educational and Healthcare Infrastructure
Hooda has been instrumental in the establishment of key institutions in Haryana, including the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) in Panchkula, the National Institute of Design (NID) in Kurukshetra, and medical colleges in Faridabad and Karnal. These initiatives reflect his dedication to enhancing educational and healthcare infrastructure in the state.
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