Rajendra Darda

Rajendra Jawaharlal Darda
Member of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly
In office 1999–2009
Preceded by	Chandrakant Khaire
Succeeded by	Sanjay Shirsat
Constituency	Aurangabad West
In office 2009–2014
Preceded by	Kalyan Kale
Succeeded by	Atul Save
Constituency	Aurangabad West
Personal details
Born	(1952-11-21) 21 November 1952 Yavatmal, Maharashtra
Political party	Indian National Congress
Spouse	Ashoo R. Darda
Children	2 sons
Parent(s)	Jawaharlal Darda, Veenadevi J. Darda
Residence	Aurangabad, Maharashtra
Occupation	Journalist, Businessman
Website	www.rajendradarda.com

Rajendra Jawaharlal Darda is the Editor-in-Chief of Lokmat Media Group, a well-known author and social worker. He was a three-time Member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly from Aurangabad, Maharashtra. He was a Cabinet Minister for Education and Minister of Industries in the government of Maharashtra.

Education

After graduating from Nagpur University, Darda received his diploma from the Government Institute of Printing Technology, Mumbai. Darda also attended a two-year advanced course in Graphic Arts from the London College of Printing.

Career

Darda is editor-in-chief of the Lokmat newspaper group. Darda had also taught journalism courses at Nagpur University.

Art and literature

Rajendra Darda published his first Marathi book "Zumbar", a travelogue narrating his experiences as a student in Europe and America in the 1970s. He has also penned a book "Vibrant Vignettes" in English. In the book "Aamche Vidyapeeth" eminent journalists threw light on his contribution to journalism. He has authored a number of articles on a variety of issues and personalities. He is an expert in graphic arts and has completed two-year Advanced Course in Graphic Arts from London College of Printing.

Awards

He received the Acharya Atre award of Sawaj Vyaspeeth from noted cartoonist late R K Laxman on February 15, 2000 for excellence in the field of journalism.

Social service

Mr. Darda has always been committed to the cause of social justice, health and environment. In 1984, he mobilized relief funds for the flood-affected people of Nanded and Parbhani and constructed school buildings. After the severe earthquakes of Bihar (1988) and Killari (Latur, Marathwada 1993), he made a significant contribution through Lokmat Relief Fund towards giving relief to the affected people. Under his leadership, the Lokmat Group of Newspapers raised Kargil relief fund for the families of the martyrs and constructed hostels for the children of the martyrs at Aurangabad, Nagpur, Latur and Solapur.

Politics

In 1999, he was elected a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Aurangabad Assembly Constituency, Maharashtra. Darda became the Minister of State for Energy, Finance and Planning, and later the Minister of State for Home. He was re-elected MLA from Aurangabad (West) Constituency in 2004 and Aurangabad (East) Constituency in 2009. He became the Minister for Industries in the newly constituted Cabinet of Maharashtra Government in November 2009 and later served as the School Education Minister.

Personal life

Darda has two sons Karan and Rishi, and a brother Vijay Jawaharlal Darda who is Chairman of Lokmat and has served 3 times as an MP. He is married to Ashoo Darda, who is the chairperson of Lokmat Sakhi Manch.

External links

• Chief Electoral Officer, Maharashtra, Detailed Candidates Affidavits of Assembly Election 2009
• Maha News (marathi) Introduction of Cabinet Ministers