Hardeep Singh Puri is an Indian politician and former diplomat currently serving as the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs in the Government of India. He currently holds the record of being the longest-serving Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs in history.
Early Life and Education
Hardeep Singh Puri was born on 15 February 1952 in Delhi, India. He grew up in a family of distinguished diplomats and scholars, which influenced his interest in international relations and diplomacy. He received his education from St. Stephen’s College in Delhi, where he earned a degree in Economics. Later, he pursued a postgraduate degree in History from the School of Oriental and African Studies in London.
Career in Diplomacy
Hardeep Singh Puri joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1974 and served in various diplomatic positions in India and abroad. He played a key role in promoting India’s interests in multilateral forums such as the United Nations and served as India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York from 2009 to 2013. He also served as the Chairman of the United Nations Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee from 2011 to 2012. During his tenure, he played an active role in advancing India’s interests in global issues such as climate change, human rights, and terrorism.
Political Career
In 2014, Hardeep Singh Puri joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and was elected to the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian Parliament. In 2017, he was appointed as the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Housing and Urban Affairs in the Government of India.
He launched several initiatives to promote affordable housing and urban development, including the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, which aimed to provide affordable housing to millions of people in India. He also oversaw the successful implementation of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, a nationwide campaign to clean up the streets, roads, and infrastructure of Indian cities.
Achievements and Awards
Hardeep Singh Puri’s contributions to India’s development and diplomacy have been widely recognized. He was awarded the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian awards, in 2005 for his contributions to public service. In 2018, he was awarded the Sir Edmund Hillary Mountain Legacy Medal by the Nepalese government for his contribution to the promotion of mountain communities and sustainable mountain development.
