Sitaram Yechury: Full Biography
Personal Information:
- Full Name: Sitaram Yechury
- Date of Birth: August 12, 1952
- Age: 72 years (as of 2024)
- Place of Birth: Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
- Nationality: Indian
- Occupation: Politician, General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M))
Education:
- School:
- Ramakrishna Mission School, New Delhi
- Higher Education:
- Bachelor’s in Economics (Honors), St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University
- Master’s in Economics, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi
- Active in Student Politics during his time at JNU, involved in the Students’ Federation of India (SFI)
Early Life:
Sitaram Yechury was born in Chennai to a Telugu-speaking family but grew up in New Delhi. His father was a government employee and his mother was a housewife. He displayed academic brilliance from a young age, and his political career began to take shape during his university years.
Career:
Yechury entered politics during his time at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) as an active member of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), the student wing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). His leadership skills earned him the presidency of the JNU Students’ Union in 1977, a position from which he launched his formal political career.
- CPI(M) Career:
- Yechury officially joined CPI(M) in 1975 and rapidly rose through the ranks. His scholarly understanding of Marxism and adeptness at leadership saw him appointed to the party’s central committee in 1984 and the politburo in 1992.
- He has served in multiple roles within CPI(M), and in 2015, he was elected as the General Secretary of the party, succeeding Prakash Karat.
- He was re-elected as the General Secretary in 2018 and again in 2022, reflecting his stronghold within the party.
- Parliamentary Career:
- Yechury has represented West Bengal in the Rajya Sabha (the upper house of India’s Parliament) from 2005 to 2017.
- He is known for his articulate speeches and his deep understanding of India’s political landscape, often taking a firm stance on issues like secularism, workers’ rights, and social justice.
Personal Life:
- Father: Sarveswara Somayajulu Yechury
- Mother: Kalpakam Yechury
- Wife: Seema Chisti (a journalist)
- Children: Yechury has two sons, one of whom, Ashish Yechury, passed away in 2021 due to COVID-19.
- Religion: Atheist, as per Marxist ideology.
Family:
Yechury is married to Seema Chisti, a journalist with significant contributions in Indian media. His family has a strong academic and professional background.
Ideology:
Yechury is a staunch advocate of Marxist ideology, emphasizing secularism, social justice, and the importance of the working class in India’s economic and political fabric. He has criticized neoliberal economic policies and has been a vocal opponent of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and their Hindutva politics.
Achievements:
- Leading CPI(M) through electoral and political challenges in India.
- Playing a pivotal role in shaping the party’s stance on various national and international issues.
- Prominent leader during protests and agitations for labor rights, secularism, and social equity.
Net Worth:
Sitaram Yechury is a modest-living politician, adhering to Marxist values. As a politician who advocates against capitalist accumulation, his personal wealth and assets are not publicly flaunted or widely known.
Conclusion:
Sitaram Yechury is one of India’s most prominent left-wing politicians, known for his intellectual prowess, commitment to Marxist ideology, and active role in both party politics and parliamentary debates. With a career spanning decades, Yechury continues to play a crucial role in Indian politics as the General Secretary of CPI(M). His family life is marked by personal tragedy, but he remains committed to his political ideals and vision for India’s future.
