NEW DELHI: Delhi welcomes Atishi Marlena Singh as its new Chief Minister, stepping into the role previously held by Arvind Kejriwal. Known for her significant contributions to the city’s education system, Atishi’s appointment follows Kejriwal’s resignation. He announced he would not resume his position until the citizens of Delhi deemed him "honest."
Atishi, a key leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), emerged as a leading candidate for the role, with strong backing from fellow party members, including Manish Sisodia. The decision to appoint her was finalized during a legislative meeting held at Kejriwal’s residence. The former IRS officer, Kejriwal, is expected to formally resign from his position as Chief Minister and submit his resignation to the Lieutenant Governor (LG).
A Glimpse Into Atishi’s Background
Atishi Singh has been a prominent figure in Delhi’s political and educational landscape. Following the imprisonment of former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in an alleged excise policy case, Atishi took on significant responsibilities. She was appointed Minister of Education, Public Works Department (PWD), Culture, and Tourism in the Delhi government in 2023. From 2015 to 2018, she served as an advisor to Sisodia, focusing on educational reforms.
Born on June 8, 1981, Atishi’s middle name, "Marlena," was inspired by her professor parents, Vijay Singh and Tripta Wahi. The name is a blend of "Marx" and "Lenin," reflecting her political roots. However, as elections approached, Atishi chose to use only her first name publicly from 2018 onwards.
Atishi completed her high school education at Springdales School, New Delhi. She earned her bachelor’s degree in History from St. Stephen's College, Delhi, in 2001. She later attended Oxford University, receiving a Chevening scholarship and completing her master’s in History in 2003. Additionally, she was a Rhodes Scholar at Magdalen College, Oxford, in 2005.
Atishi’s Political Journey
Atishi’s political career began with the Aam Aadmi Party in 2013, where she played a crucial role in shaping party policies. She participated in the historic Jal Satyagraha in Madhya Pradesh’s Khandwa district in 2015, supporting AAP leader Alok Agarwal during the protests and legal battles.
In 2019, Atishi contested against BJP’s Gautam Gambhir for the East Delhi Lok Sabha seat but lost by over 4.5 lakh votes. However, she achieved success in the 2020 Delhi Legislative Assembly elections, securing a seat from the Kalkaji constituency with a margin of over 11,000 votes against BJP’s Dharambir Singh.
Impact on Education
Atishi’s tenure as Education Minister has been marked by substantial reforms in Delhi’s educational sector. Her efforts have been instrumental in enhancing the infrastructure of government schools, establishing school management committees, and enforcing regulations to prevent arbitrary fee hikes by private institutions. She also introduced the "happiness" curriculum to promote students’ emotional and overall well-being.
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