[bindujain]

Smriti Irani, Cabinet minister

The actress-turned-politician gets the human resources and development portfolio.

From being one of the most popular faces on the small screen to taking on Rahul Gandhi in a high-profile Lok Sabha poll battle in Amethi, Smriti Irani's induction in the Narendra Modi ministry represents a crowing glory in her political career.

Having acquired fame as a TV actress in 'saas-bahu' soap opera, she continued to under spotlight after she switched over from TV to politics and fought two tough electoral battles in the last ten years including one against Congress

heavyweight Kapil Sibal from Chandni Chowk in Delhi in 2004.

As BJP's candidate from Congress bastion of Amethi in Uttar Pradesh where she took on Rahul, Irani fought one of the most high profile electoral contests of the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. She lost but not without putting up an impressive fight that saw Rahul's margin of victory to just over a lakh.

A former National President of BJP's women's wing, Irani now holds the position of Vice President in the party.

Irani was born in Delhi and had her education in the national capital before she shifted to Mumbai and became a household name because of her role in the TV serial "Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi" for her portrayal of the character of Tulsi.

Married to businessman Zubin Irani and having one son and a daughter, Smriti Irani lists reading as her past-time.