Santosh Lad

Santosh S Lad
Lad being sworn in as Minister of Information and Infrastructure, May 2013 Mr. Santosh Lad with South Indian Actors
Constituency	Kalaghatagi
Personal details
Born	(1975-02-27) 27 February 1975 Sandur, Karnataka
Spouse(s)	Keerthi Lad
Children	Karan Lad
Residence	#45/46 Tadas Road, Madakihonnihalli, Kalaghatagi-581204, Dharwad
Website	http://www.idd.kar.nic.in/, http://www.karnatakavarthe.org/

Santosh S Lad (born 27 February 1975, Sandur, India) is an Indian Congress Politician (represents Indian National Congress) serving as Minister of Karnataka State for Information and Infrastructure after being elected as 2nd time MLA (Member of Legislative Assembly) from Kalagatagi constituency in Dharwad district of Karnataka state, 3rd time MLA overall (previously elected as MLA from his hometown Sandur).^[1]

Early life

Santosh Lad is the son of Late Shivaji Lad and Smt Shailaja S Lad, Santosh was born 27 February 1975 in Sandur taluk of Bellary district and has one elder sister. He completed his B.Com from Sandur Education Societys Arts, Science & Commerce College, Bellary, Karnataka. His family became affluent through their involvement in mining industry since 1950’s. Santosh was active member of sports community, actively participated in local tournaments and state level competitions. He represented U-21 Cricket State level tournament KSCA representing Tumkur Zone as a team members and in subsequent year he was elected as captain.^{[citation needed]}

Personal life

He is married to Keerthi Lad, the couple have one son Karan Lad. Lad's father Late Shivaji Lad died when lad was 16 years old, leading to him having a lot of responsibility from the young age. He grew his family business and diversified into other areas, at the same time he built his political career.

Political career

Lad started his political career a counselor from Sandur taluk. He had very little success in taluk panchayat elections where he lost marginally in his first election. He went on to win both the seats he contested in the following election, he played vital role in gaining the majority for his party during that period.^{[citation needed]}

Lad contested for MLA election against strong contender from Congress Party. He represented Janata Dal Secular party JD-S and was the youngest MLA at the age of 29 along with being the first person from his party to win Sandur constituency, the election was won with the record margin.^{[citation needed]} Lad played a vital role and was architect behind government formation under the leadership of Mr. H.D. Kumaraswamy becoming the chief-minister of the Karntaka state.^{[citation needed]}

In the 2008 Karnataka Assembly elections he won Kalghatgi constituency in Dharwad district. He currently is an active member and represents Indian National Congress.

In 2013, Karnataka state assembly election Santosh Lad wins with huge margin of over 45000 votes,^[2][3] to win consecutively for the 2nd time from Kalghatgi and 3rd time overall. Congress secured absolute majority form the government.^[4] Santosh Lad was appointed as Minister of State for Information and Infrastructure^[5]

Initiatives

Santosh Lad was appointed as state representative to oversee the rescue operation in worst rain-hit area of Uttarakhand,^[6][7] he was accompanied by team headed by Hemanth Nimbalkar, Kari Gowda and Naveen Raj Singh. After over 10 days of rescue operation the team was able to rescue everyone except 14 people for whom an extensive search has been carried out.

Business Association

Lad comes from one of the oldest business families in Mining business. Their family has been in mining business for over 5–6 decades. Lad spearheaded the growth of the business and diversified into other areas such as Real estate, Technology, Entertainment, Air-Cargo, IT & ITES, and Agro based business. All the business are under the umbrella of S Lad Group.

Sportsmen

Lad is also keen tennis enthusiast, and has played charity match against Sania Mirza. He encourages youths to make sports and games part of their life by sponsoring various annual sports and games.

Film Industry Association

Lad has produced movies in various Indian languages.^{[citation needed]} He has also started an organisation which maintains a talent hunt website called "Desitara" to identify the hidden talent so that it could be nurtured.

Positions held

Lad is on board of many business establishments. In addition to that he has won and held various political positions, they are

• 1998 – Elected councillor, Sandur Town Panchayat
• 2003 – Elected MLA from Sandur representing JD (S)
• 2007 – Joined Indian National Congress
• 2008 – Elected MLA from Kalghatgi representing Indian National Congress
• 2010 – Appointed general secretary of KPCC
• 2010 – Appointed Raichur District in-charge by KPCC
• 2013 – Wins 2nd time in a row as MLA from Kalghatgi
• 2013 – Appointed as Minister of State of for Information and Infrastructure ^[8]

Philanthropy

Lad is actively engaged in various charity activities. He personally oversees the charity events and ascertains that the efforts have reached and benefited the neediest ones.

• Mass Marriage: Helps people who come from economically challenging background to marry according to rites and rituals peacefully without having to worry about the added expenses
• Education: Every year thousands of students receive monetary help to continue their education, along with public transport (i.e. Bus) passes to commute for underprivileged ones. Health Care: Lad organises regular Eye-camps, Blood -donation camps to help the poor and needy. He has also donated Ambulances to cater to emergencies. Life and Accident Insurance: Moved by tragic death of 7 persons in an accident at his constituency, Santosh became the first MLA in the entire India, for having secured life insurance cover for all the members in his constituency under the mass insurance scheme to enhance the well-being of people.

Notes

References

1. Santosh Lad Interview with Bangalore Mirror on Uttarakhand Relief Operations
2. Uttarakhand relief operations -Deccan Herald
3. Uttarakhand Flood relief efforts. Santosh Lad visiting the epicenter to help and support.
4. State Rushes Medical Aid to Uttarakhand
5. Infrastructure Development Department of Karnataka
6. Department of Information for Karnataka State
7. Santosh Lad oath taking cermony- NDTV
8. List of M.L.A in Karnataka.
9. Santosh S Lad member of Karnataka Legislative Assembly.
10. 600 couples tie knot at mass marriage. Deccan Herald.
11. Insurance cover for all in Kalghatagi constituency. Business Standard.
12. Government is neglecting Kalghatgi, says Santosh Lad. The Hindu.
13. Bollywood glitterati show up at Lad’s mass wedding. Bangalore Mirror.