Do you know Sushma Swaraj was a former Supreme Court lawyer and Mayawati worked as a teacher in New Delhi? Here's a look at the professions of some renowned politicians before they took a plunge into politics.
Updated On: 2019-03-06 12:30 PM IST
Sushma Swaraj had a bachelor's degree with majors in Sanskrit and Political Science. She studied law at Punjab University and started her practice as an advocate in the Supreme Court of India in 1973. Pic source/ YouTube
Sushma Swaraj served as the Minister of External Affairs of India and took over the office in 2014. She was a former President of the Bharatiya Janata Party. She passed away last year. Pic/ File photo
Devendra Fadnavis enrolled at Government Law College, Nagpur after completing his 12th standard, for a five-year integrated law degree, and graduated in 1992. Fadnavis also has a post-graduate degree in Business Management and a diploma in Methods and Techniques of Project Management from DSE (German Foundation for International Development), Berlin. Pic source/ YouTube
Devendra Fadnavis served as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra from 2014 to 2019. He was the second youngest CM of the state of Maharashtra and is also a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Pic/ File photo
Mayawati was working as a teacher in Inderpuri JJ Colony, Delhi, and was studying for the Indian Administrative Services exams, when Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes politician Kanshi Ram visited her family home in 1977 and her career path changed forever. Pic source/ YouTube
Mayawati is the national president of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and has also served as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh for four separate terms. Pic/ File photo
Mayawati is the national president of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and has also served as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh for four separate terms. Pic/ File photo
Everyone knows that Narendra Modi was a 'chaiwala' or used to work as a tea vendor. But did you know that the current Prime Minister of India used to work in his father's tea stall at Vadnagar station? As a child, Narendra Modi dreamt of serving in the Army but destiny had other plans. His family lived in a small single storey house and often struggled to make ends meet. Pic source/ YouTube
Narendra Modi is the current Prime Minister of India. Pic/ File photo
Mamata Banerjee earned a law degree from the Jogesh Chandra Chaudhuri Law College, Kolkata and was honoured with a Doctor of Letters from Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology. While she got involved in politics at the age of 15, Mamata Banerjee is known as an artist and poet. Pic source/ YouTube
Mamata Banerjee is the current Chief Minister of West Bengal. After quitting the Indian National Congress, she founded the Trinamool Congress (TMC). Pic/ File photo
Rahul Gandhi started his career by working at the Monitor Group, a management consulting firm, in London. In 2002, he was one of the directors of Mumbai-based technology outsourcing firm Backops Services Private Ltd
Rahul Gandhi started his career by working at the Monitor Group, a management consulting firm, in London. In 2002, he was one of the directors of Mumbai-based technology outsourcing firm Backops Services Private Ltd
Rahul Gandhi has grown in the Congress party and also contested in 2019 general elections. Pic/ File photo
Kirron Kher started her career in theatre, film and television actress and as a TV talk show host. She made her film debut in 1983 in the Punjabi feature film 'Aasra Pyar Da', a non-descript production which sank without a trace. Between 1983 and 1996, she appeared in Pestonjee (1987), wherein she acted in a bit role alongside her second husband Anupam Kher. Pic source/ YouTube
Kirron Kher started her career in theatre, film and television actress and as a TV talk show host. She made her film debut in 1983 in the Punjabi feature film 'Aasra Pyar Da', a non-descript production which sank without a trace. Between 1983 and 1996, she appeared in Pestonjee (1987), wherein she acted in a bit role alongside her second husband Anupam Kher. Pic source/ YouTube
Today, Kirron Kher is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party. In May 2014, she was elected to the Lok Sabha, which is the lower house of Indian Parliament, from Chandigarh. Pic/ File photo
Today, Kirron Kher is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party. In May 2014, she was elected to the Lok Sabha, which is the lower house of Indian Parliament, from Chandigarh. Pic/ File photo
Arun Jaitley had been practicing law before the Supreme Court of India and several High Courts in the country since 1977. In January 1990, Delhi High Court designated him as a Senior Advocate and he was appointed as the Additional Solicitor General by the V. P. Singh government in 1989 and did the paperwork for the investigations into the Bofors scandal. Pic source/ YouTube
Arun Jaitley had been practicing law before the Supreme Court of India and several High Courts in the country since 1977. In January 1990, Delhi High Court designated him as a Senior Advocate and he was appointed as the Additional Solicitor General by the V. P. Singh government in 1989 and did the paperwork for the investigations into the Bofors scandal. Pic source/ YouTube
Arun Jaitley was member of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs. He passed away last year. Pic/ File photo
Arun Jaitley was member of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs. He passed away last year. Pic/ File photo
Shashi Tharoor moved to the United States in 1975 to pursue graduate studies at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, where he obtained his MA and MALD and was awarded the Robert B. Stewart Prize for Best Student and completed his PhD at the age of 22. At Fletcher he also helped find and was the first editor of the Fletcher Forum of International Affairs. Shashi Tharoor's career in the United Nations began in 1978 as a staff member of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Geneva. From 1981 until 1984 he was head of the UNHCR office in Singapore, during the boat people crisis. Pic source/ YouTube
Shashi Tharoor is currently a leader in the Congress party. Pic/ File photo
Smriti Irani was a finalist at the beauty pageant Miss India 1998. She also featured in a music album titled 'Boliyan' of the album 'Saawan Mein Lag Gayi Aag' with Mika Singh. In mid-2000, Smriti Irani starred in the lead role of Tulsi Virani in Ekta Kapoor's production 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi' on television
Smriti Irani was a finalist at the beauty pageant Miss India 1998. She also featured in a music album titled 'Boliyan' of the album 'Saawan Mein Lag Gayi Aag' with Mika Singh. In mid-2000, Smriti Irani starred in the lead role of Tulsi Virani in Ekta Kapoor's production 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi' on television
Today, Smriti Irani is a Member of Parliament and was elected to the Rajya Sabha from the state of Gujarat. She is currently the Minister of Human Resource Development. Pic/ File photo
During her younger years, Sonia Gandhi lived in a village near Vicenza, Italy. Sonia Gandhi was raised in a Roman Catholic Christian family. She used to work as a waitress in a restaurant in the Cambridge campus before she met Rajeev Gandhi -- an engineering student at the time. Pic source/ YouTube
Sonia Gandhi is the President of the Indian National Congress. Sonia took over the post in 1998, seven years after her husband Rajiv Gandhi's assassination. Pic/ File photo
After graduation, Lalu Prasad Yadav worked as a clerk in Bihar Veterinary College, Patna where his elder brother also worked as a peon. Pic source/ YouTube
Lalu Prasad Yadav was the Chief Minister of Bihar from 1990 to 1997 and Minister of Railways from 2004 to 2009 with United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. He is currently the President of the Rashtriya Janata Dal political party. Pic/ File photo
Jayaprada is a former Indian film actress and was the recipient of two Filmfare awards and has starred in Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Bengali and Marathi films. Pic source/ YouTube
Jayaprada is a former Indian film actress and was the recipient of two Filmfare awards and has starred in Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Bengali and Marathi films. Pic source/ YouTube
Jayaprada switched careers to enter politics and was a Member of Parliament (MP) from Rampur from 2004 to 2014. Pic/ AFP
Jayaprada switched careers to enter politics and was a Member of Parliament (MP) from Rampur from 2004 to 2014. Pic/ AFP
Pranab Kumar Mukherjee was an upper-division Clerk in the Office of the Deputy Accountant-General (Post and Telegraph) in Calcutta. In 1963, he became Lecturer teaching Political Science at the Vidyanagar College and he also worked as a Journalist with the Desher Dak (Call of Motherland) before entering politics. Pic source/ YouTube
Pranab Kumar Mukherjee was an upper-division Clerk in the Office of the Deputy Accountant-General (Post and Telegraph) in Calcutta. In 1963, he became Lecturer teaching Political Science at the Vidyanagar College and he also worked as a Journalist with the Desher Dak (Call of Motherland) before entering politics. Pic source/ YouTube
Pranab Kumar Mukherjee served as the 13th President of India from 2012 until 2017 and was also a senior leader of the Congress. He also served as Union Finance Minister from 2009-2012. Pic/ File photo
Pranab Kumar Mukherjee served as the 13th President of India from 2012 until 2017 and was also a senior leader of the Congress. He also served as Union Finance Minister from 2009-2012. Pic/ File photo
After graduating in law from a Kanpur college, Ramnath Kovind went to Delhi to prepare for the civil services examination. He passed the exam on his third attempt, but did not join as he was selected for an allied service instead of IAS and thus started practicing law. Pic source/ YouTube
After graduating in law from a Kanpur college, Ramnath Kovind went to Delhi to prepare for the civil services examination. He passed the exam on his third attempt, but did not join as he was selected for an allied service instead of IAS and thus started practicing law. Pic source/ YouTube
After a nomination for the post of 14th President of India, he resigned from his post as Governor of Bihar. Ramnath Kovind won the election on 20 July 2017 and is the current President of India. He previously served as Governor of Bihar. Pic/ File photo
After a nomination for the post of 14th President of India, he resigned from his post as Governor of Bihar. Ramnath Kovind won the election on 20 July 2017 and is the current President of India. He previously served as Governor of Bihar. Pic/ File photo
Jayalalithaa was a child actor and grew up to be one of the most famous actresses in South Indian films, especially Tamil movies
Jayalalithaa was a child actor and grew up to be one of the most famous actresses in South Indian films, especially Tamil movies
Jayalalithaa served six terms as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for over fourteen years between 1991 and 2016. From 1989 she was the general secretary of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), a Dravidian party whose cadre revered her as their Amma (mother), Puratchi Thalaivi (revolutionary leader) and Thanga Tharagai (golden maiden). She passed away in December 2016. Pic/ File photo
Jayalalithaa served six terms as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for over fourteen years between 1991 and 2016. From 1989 she was the general secretary of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), a Dravidian party whose cadre revered her as their Amma (mother), Puratchi Thalaivi (revolutionary leader) and Thanga Tharagai (golden maiden). She passed away in December 2016. Pic/ File photo
Hema Malini began her carrer as an Indian actress, director, producer and dancer. In 1963 she made her acting debut in the Tamil film 'Ithu Sathiyam' as a dancer and supporting actress. Hema Malini first acted as the lead actress in Sapno Ka Saudagar (1968), and went on to feature in numerous Bollywood films. Hema Malini was initially promoted as the 'Dream Girl', and in 1977 starred in a film of the same name. Pic source/ YouTube
Hema Malini began her carrer as an Indian actress, director, producer and dancer. In 1963 she made her acting debut in the Tamil film 'Ithu Sathiyam' as a dancer and supporting actress. Hema Malini first acted as the lead actress in Sapno Ka Saudagar (1968), and went on to feature in numerous Bollywood films. Hema Malini was initially promoted as the 'Dream Girl', and in 1977 starred in a film of the same name. Pic source/ YouTube
From 2003 to 2009, Hema Malini was elected to the Rajya Sabha, the upper House of parliament, as a representative of the Bharatiya Janata Party. In 2014, Hema Malini then became a member of the Lok Sabha. Pic/ File photo
From 2003 to 2009, Hema Malini was elected to the Rajya Sabha, the upper House of parliament, as a representative of the Bharatiya Janata Party. In 2014, Hema Malini then became a member of the Lok Sabha. Pic/ File photo
Jaya Bachchan is considered one of the finest Hindi film actresses of her time. During her career, she won eight Filmfare Awards including three for Best Actress and three for Best Supporting Actress. In 1992, she was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India. Pic source/ YouTube
Jaya Bachchan is considered one of the finest Hindi film actresses of her time. During her career, she won eight Filmfare Awards including three for Best Actress and three for Best Supporting Actress. In 1992, she was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India. Pic source/ YouTube
Jaya Bachchan was first elected in 2004 as a Samajwadi Party member of parliament, representing Rajya Sabha till March 2006. She got a second term from June 2006 till July 2010, a third in 2012. Pic/ File photo
Jaya Bachchan was first elected in 2004 as a Samajwadi Party member of parliament, representing Rajya Sabha till March 2006. She got a second term from June 2006 till July 2010, a third in 2012. Pic/ File photo
Rekha, also known as Bhanurekha Ganesan is an Indian film actress. Known for her versatility, Rekha began her career in 1966 as a child actress in the Telugu film 'Rangula Ratnam', although her debut film happened four years later with 'Sawan Bhadon'. Despite the success of several of her early films, she was initially panned for her appearance. It was only later on in the 1970s when Rekha was given her due as an actress. Pic source/ YouTube
Rekha, also known as Bhanurekha Ganesan is an Indian film actress. Known for her versatility, Rekha began her career in 1966 as a child actress in the Telugu film 'Rangula Ratnam', although her debut film happened four years later with 'Sawan Bhadon'. Despite the success of several of her early films, she was initially panned for her appearance. It was only later on in the 1970s when Rekha was given her due as an actress. Pic source/ YouTube
Rekha entered politics and was nominated as a Rajya Sabha member. She is currently a member of the Rajya Sabha. Pic/ File photo
Rekha entered politics and was nominated as a Rajya Sabha member. She is currently a member of the Rajya Sabha. Pic/ File photo
Ramya, with the stage name of Divya Spandana was an Indian film actress who acted predominantly in Kannada, Tamil and Telugu films. Pic source/ YouTube
Ramya, with the stage name of Divya Spandana was an Indian film actress who acted predominantly in Kannada, Tamil and Telugu films. Pic source/ YouTube
In 2013, Spandana won a by-election to become the Indian National Congress (INC) Member of Parliament for Mandya constituency in Karnataka, but was defeated in a general election the following year. Pic/ Ramya's Facebook page
