Milind Deora: politician, guitarist and now a minister

A guitarist who has several performances to his credit

PTI | July 13, 2011



A new generation politician, Milind Deora, who has inherited his father's legacy, makes a debut in the Union Council of Ministers and is one of its youngest members.

The 34 years old, modern, dynamic and suave, Milind is a two-term Member of Lok Sabha from South Mumbai, a constituency nurtured by his father and former Corporate Affairs Minister Murli Deora who resigned just days ahead of today's Cabinet reshuffle.

An accomplished blues guitarist and who has several performances to his credit, he is considered among the close friends of Rahul Gandhi.  The young Deora's website says that he has downplayed and even hidden his formidable musical talents for years fearful that people would take him less seriously as a public servant.

Milind is known for his hands-on approach and is popular among his constituents -- who range from poor mill workers to multi-billionaire industrialists -- for various initiatives he has taken in the area.

A good orator and debater, he is known among friends like Rahul Gandhi as well as parliamentary colleagues for setting up informal workshops that would deliberate on policies.

After earning a degree in Business and Political Science, Milind founded an NGO Sparsh, a social initiative which aims at educating students in computer and IT proficiency.

Milind's debut in the government as Minister of State for Communication and IT comes in the wake of his 74-year-old father's resignation as Cabinet minister citing old age.

He has played numbers of rock legend Jimi Hendrix like 'Stone Free' and 'Manic Depression' as well as 'Better Watch Yourself' and 'I?ve been loving you'. He has been playing the blues since his days at the Boston University. His brother Mukund is a Disc Jockey.

Milind was born and brought up in Mumbai. He studied at the Cathedral School and then at the Sydenham College of Commerce and Economics.

He is married to Pooja Shetty, the daughter of former Adlabs Chairman Manmohan Shetty, who runs a film production company.
 

Comments

 

Other News

Who checks the books?

I read about the news about the Coimbatore library over coffee this morning. On the face of it, the headline was about a political ‘war’ between the DMK and TVK. But what stayed with me was something much more important than the blame game behind what had transpired. A writer walking through

Development paradox: Falling poverty miracle and an inequality problem

India’s reduction in poverty over the past decade is a development achievement of considerable significance. The World Bank’s April 2026 ‘India Development Update’ estimates that the share of Indians living below the international extreme-poverty line of $3.00 per person per day i

In Arunachal, a river we call mother

In Arunachal Pradesh, the Siang is not just a river. For many of us, especially the Adi people, it is part of our family. Our grandparents fished in it. Children learned to swim in it. Our farms drink from it. When someone says a huge dam will be built on it, we do not hear the word "project".

A new retelling of the Mahabharata delves into key moments

In a time when every decision carries consequences and questions of ambition, power, loyalty, identity and moral choice continue to shape our lives, Dr. Arun Krishnan’s new book, ‘Mahakshana’ (Penguin India) offers a strikingly relevant retelling of the Mahabharata.  

Cabinet approves viability gap funding to develop grid-scale energy storage systems

The Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, has approved the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) Scheme for Development of Grid-Scale Energy Storage Systems, with a total financial support of Rs.14,500 crore for the period FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31. The scheme aims to support the development o

Cabinet creates a pathway to absorb Agniveers in Defence Forces

An objective assessment in terms of organisational requirements and operational efficiency has brought out the outstanding performance of Agniveers in terms of skills, motivation levels, physical fitness and technological prowess. As envisaged earlier, based on merit, 25% of Agniveers will be offered reg

Upcoming Conferences



-->

Archives

Current Issue

Opinion

Facebook Twitter Google Plus Linkedin Subscribe Newsletter

Twitter