Lal Thanhawla
| Lal Thanhawla | |
|---|---|
| Chief Minister of Mizoram | |
| In office 14 December 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Zoramthanga |
| Constituency | Serchhip |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 19 May 1942 Durtlang Hospital, Aizawl, Mizoram |
| Political party | Indian National Congress |
| Spouse(s) | Lal Riliani |
| Children | Lucy Sailo Zauva Sailo (L) Lal Thankhumi |
| Residence | Zarkawt, Aizawl, Mizoram |
| Alma mater | Pachhunga University College |
| Religion | Christianity |
Lal Thanhawla (born 19 May 1942) is an Indian politician and belongs to the Indian National Congress party. He is the Chief Minister of Mizoram since 11 December 2008. He was elected again in the Mizoram Legislative Assembly election, 2013 and continued the office since 14 December 2013. This was his fifth time to the office of Chief Minister, which is a record in Mizoram.[1][2] His electoral constituencies are Serchhip and Hrangturzo. He had succesfully contested in the general elections for nine times, in 1978, 1979, 1984, 1987, 1993, 2003, 2008, and 2013.[3]
Early life
Lal Thanhawla is the son of Hmartawnphunga Sailo and Lalsawmliani Chawngthu. He completed matriculation in 1958. He passed his intermediate examination (higher secondary) in arts in 1961. Thereafter, he studied BA at Pachhunga University College (then Aijal College), which was then affiliated to Gauhati University. He graduated in 1964.[4]
Career
Lal Thanhawla started his career as Recorder in the office of Inspector of Schools under the Mizoram District Council, which was in turn under the Government of Assam. After that, he joined the Assam Co-operative Apex Bank as Assistant. In 1966, he joined the underground movement called Mizo National Front (MNF) as Foreign Secretary. He was captured and imprisoned at Silchar jail. He was release in 1967 and joined the Indian National Congress party. He was immediately appointed to the Chief Organiser of the Aizawl District Congress Committee. In 1973 he was elected President of the Mizoram Pradesh Congress Committee, and continued to win the presidency in every election till date. In 1978 and 1979 he was elected as a Legislator in Union Territory Elections. In 1984, under his leadership, the Congress party swept the state and he became the Chief Minister. In 1986, when the Mizoram Peace Accord was signed between India and MNF, he stepped down from his office to make way for Pu Laldenga, the leader of MNF, to become the Chief Minister. This was part of the negotiation and settlement of the accord, and he was designated Deputy Chief Minister. Then Mizoram was declared a full state of India. In the first Mizoram Legislative Assembly election held in 1987, he was elected and became the Chief Minister. He continued the office after being re-elected in the 1989 and 1993 elections. In 1998 he lost the election, the only time since his political career started. He eventually reclaimed in the 2003 elections. Currently he is elected from both Serchhip and Hrangturzo constituencies.[4][5][6][7]
In the 2013 Mizoram Assembly Elections, Thanhawla led the ruling Congress party to a victory winning 34 seats in the 40-member legislative assembly, two seats more than in the 2008 election. The major opposition party Mizo National Front (MNF) barely won five seats, while Mizoram People's Conference (MPC) won just one seat.[1]
Other activities
Lal Thanhawla is an actively involved sports and voluntary services. Among his major contributions are as[3][6]
- Founder President of Mizoram Football Association
- Founder President of Mizoram Sports Association
- Founder President of Mizoram Hockey Association
- Founder Secretary of Mizoram Boxing Association
- Founder Secretary of Aijal Amateur Athletic Club
- Founder President of Mizoram Olympic Association
- President of Indian Olympic Association
- Chairman of North East Olympic Commission
- Founder President of Mizoram Journalists Association
- Founder editor of Mizo Aw (a daily newspaper) and Remna Palai (INC party daily news)
- Founder of Young Mizo Association at Zarkawt
- Founder Secretary of Aizawl Dramatic & Cultural Society
In addition he had served as Secretary of Central Information Forum; Chairman of Literacy Committee, National Development Council of India; Member of the 9th Finance Commission of India; and Member of the Shillong Club Ltd. and Country Club of India.
Award and recognition
- National Citizen Award in 1994
- Mother Teresa Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009
- Lalthanhawla Higher Secondary School, established in 2011 at Serchhip was named in his honour[8][9]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Talukdar, Sushanta (14 December 2013). "Lal Thanhawla sworn in as Mizoram Chief Minister". The Hindu. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
- ↑ PTI (14 December 2013). "Lal Thanhawla sworn in as Mizoram CM". The Times of India. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "About Government - Chief Minister: PU LALTHANHAWLA (11.12.2008 - )". mizoram.nic.in. National Informatics Centre, Mizoram State Centre. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Pu Lal Thanhawla". Chief Minister's Office. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
- ↑ Attre, Neha (9 November 2013). "Mizoram CM candidate profile - Lal Thanhawla". ZeeNews. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 IANS (9 December 2013). "Lal Thanhawla becomes Mizoram CM for record fifth time (Profile)". Business Standard. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
- ↑ PTI (14 December 2013). "Five-time CM Lal Thanhawla, a poster boy of Cong in Mizoram". The Economic Times. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
- ↑ "Lal Thanhawla inaugurates BNRGSK Block Hqrs building in Serchhip". NE Calling. 23 June 2013. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
- ↑ "Hming chawi chhan tlak ka awm lo: Lal Thanhawla" [I am not worthy of the honour: Lal Thanhawla]. Zothlifim (in Mizo). 22 June 2013. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
Further reading
- David M. Thangliana (2012). Lal Thanhawla (Biography of Lal Thanhawla, current chief minister of Mizoram). Lalrinliana, Aizawl, India, pages 190.
External links
| Preceded by Zoramthanga |
Chief Minister of Mizoram 11 December 2008 – present |
Succeeded by incumbent |
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