Arjun Munda (born 1968)

Arjun Munda is a prominent Indian politician from the state of Jharkhand. He was born on May 3, 1968, in a tribal family in Khunti district, Jharkhand. Munda is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and has served as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand three times. He is also a former Union Minister of Tribal Affairs in the Government of India.

Munda completed his schooling from a local government school in Khunti and went on to obtain a Bachelor of Arts degree from Ranchi University. He was actively involved in sports during his college days and played cricket and football at the state level. After completing his education, Munda became involved in social work and worked for the upliftment of tribals in the state.

In 1995, Munda entered politics and contested the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly election from Khunti constituency on a BJP ticket. He won the election and became the youngest member of the state assembly at the age of 27. Munda went on to win the seat four more times in 2000, 2005, 2009, and 2014. He has also served as the Deputy Chief Minister of Jharkhand from 2000 to 2003.

In 2003, Munda was elected as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand for the first time, but his tenure was short-lived, and he had to resign in 2005 due to political instability in the state. However, he was re-elected as the Chief Minister in 2010 and served a full term of five years. Munda became the Chief Minister of Jharkhand for the third time in 2014, but he had to resign in 2013 after his party's poor performance in the state assembly elections.

During his tenure as the Chief Minister, Munda initiated several developmental projects in the state, especially in the areas of infrastructure, education, and healthcare. He also worked towards the welfare of tribals and implemented various schemes for their upliftment. Munda played a crucial role in the formation of Jharkhand state and was one of the leading voices in the movement for a separate state.

In 2014, Munda was appointed as the Union Minister of Tribal Affairs in the Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre. As the Tribal Affairs Minister, Munda played an instrumental role in implementing various schemes for the welfare of tribals across the country. He launched several initiatives to promote tribal entrepreneurship and livelihood, including the Van Dhan Scheme and the Tribes India e-marketplace. Munda also worked towards improving the education and health facilities for tribals and promoted the use of traditional medicines.

Apart from his political career, Munda is also actively involved in various social and cultural organizations. He is the founder of the Arjun Munda Foundation, which works towards the education and empowerment of underprivileged children in Jharkhand. Munda is also associated with several sports organizations and has been instrumental in promoting sports in the state.

In recognition of his contributions to politics and public service, Munda has received several awards and honours. In 2019, he was conferred with the prestigious Padma Shri award, one of the highest civilian awards in India, for his contribution to public affairs.

In conclusion, 

Arjun Munda is a prominent political figure in India and a respected leader from the state of Jharkhand. He has played a significant role in the development of the state and has worked towards the welfare of tribals throughout his career. Munda's contributions to politics and public service have been widely recognized, and he continues to be an influential figure in Indian politics.