Smriti Irani’s rose from a wannabe model to the bahu of Indian television to now the cult hard politician has been phenomenal.
Smriti dabbled in many ways to get to the lime light from promoting beauty products, to contesting Miss India beauty pageant, then going on to become the country’s favourite bahu, but she has created history by being sworn in as a minister in the Narendra Modi government.
This journey to rise and fame has not been an easy one as the 38 year old Smriti who started her political journey started in 2003 when she joined the BJP. Although she lost when she contested the 14th Lok Sabha polls as the BJP candidate from Chandni Chowk, Delhi as she stood opposite the well known Congress candidate Kapil Sibal.
In one of her interviews she confessed to earning Rs.200 for promoting a beauty products when she was in 10th standard. Smriti sent her application for the 1998 Miss India contest and she did not make it to the finals. The young girl then went to Mumbai and worked at McDonald’s Bandra outlet to support herself while auditioning for work.
Once she has to replace actress Neelam Kothari to host an episode of ‘Ooh La La La’ and producer Ekta Kapoor noticed her and soon Smriti become Ekta and later the nations favourite TV star. Smriti played Tulsi Virani in her long running super hit TV show ‘Kyunki… Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’.
After dabbling in the glamour world Smriti decided to plunge into politics and held important positions like the national secretary of the party and All India President of the BJP Mahila Morcha in 2010, she became BJP’s vice-president.
Smriti’s articulate and uncomplaining attitude had made her stand apart. In fact she is the only politician to openly speak against Pakistan in the Lok Sabha prior to attacks on our country.
Let’s see what the new post will make this feisty woman do for her country. Here’s wishing her luck!
