Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Bronisław Komorowski
President of Poland - Bronisław Komorowski
Bronisław Komorowski was born on 4 July 1952 in Oborniki Slaskie near Wroclaw, in a family with strong traditions of independence and gentry. After the war he family settled in Lower Silesia although its roots are in the Eastern Kresy and Vilnius. Komorowski’s early childhood was spent in Poznan where his maternal grandparents lived, having returned from the war exile.
Between 1957 and1959 the Komorowski family, i.e. the parents, Bronislaw and his two sisters, lived in Jozefow near Otwock where the whole family crammed in a 10-metre kitchen of a damp barrack.
In 1959 the Komorowskis transferred to Pruszkow near Warsaw, where Bronislaw started primary education which he terminated already in Warsaw, moving with the family in 1966. He graduated from Cyprian Kamil Norwid High School and went on to study history in the Department of History at the University of Warsaw. He has been involved in the Scout Movement, which he credits for meeting his future wife. His anti-communist activity commenced when he was a highschooler - he participated in demonstrations, e.g. during March 68 events. He was arrested for the first time in 1971, at the tender age of 19.
In 1976 he took part in support operations for the victim workers from Radom and Ursus and cooperated with the Workers Defence Committe and the Movement for Defence of Human and Civic Rights. He organised patriotic rallies, worked as an underground printer, journalist, distributor and publisher, of, among others, Historical and Literary Library. During the years of his underground activity he was repeatedly arrested and persecuted.Under martial law he was detained in an internment camp.
In 1977 he married Anna Dembowska and is a father of five adult children – Zofia, Tadeusz, Maria, Piotr and Elzbieta as well as a grandfather of a 10-month-old Stanislaw. In 1977 he completed his MA studies and started an internship in Zespol Prasy PAX. From 1980 to 1981 he worked for the Centre of Social Investigation of NSZZ "Solidarity" and the years of martial law saw him working as a teacher of history at the Lower Seminary in Niepokalanow, where he stopped teaching in 1989.
Starting from 1982 he was an editor of an independent underground magazine ‘ABC’ (which stands for the Adriatic Sea, the Baltic Sea and the Black Sea) which was dealing with the problems of the East and Central-East Europe.
After 1989 he became a member of the home section of the Polish Community – an association helping the Poles living abroad. He was also the president of the Foundation for Helping Polish Libraries, the president of the board of the Euro-Atlantic Association as well as the president of Maritime and River League. Since 1989 he has held several government posts.
From 1989 to 1990 he was a manager of the office of minister Aleksander Hall. In 1991 he became an MP for the first time and has been holding this post for six terms now. He worked in a Committee for Poles Abroad, National Defence Committee and Committee for Foreign Affairs.
From 1990 to 1993 he was a civil deputy minister for national defence specialising in educational and social issues in the governments of Tadeusz Mazowiecki, Jan Krzysztof Bielecki and Hanna Suchocka.
Between 1997 and 2000 he presided over the Parliamentary National Defence Committee. Between 2000 and 2001 he was the minister of national defence in the government of Jerzy Buzek. Since 2001 he was the deputy chairman of the Parliamentary National Defence Committee and a member of Parliamentary Committee for Foreign Affairs. Bronislaw Komorowski was a member of Freedom Union, where he was a general secretary and was also involved with Conservative People’s Party, holding a position of deputy president.
Since 2001 he has been a member of Civic Platform in which he held the function of the chairman of the Mazowsze Region and since 2006 has been the deputy chairmain of the party.
In October 2005 he was elected Deputy Speaker for the 5th Lower House of Parliament. Before the last elections he wrote fragments of Civic Platform’s manifesto concerning foreign policies. In 2007 parliamentary elections Bronislaw Komorowski was on Civic Platform’s list in the Warsaw constituency, and polled almost 140,000 votes – a record-breaking number for this constituency.
On 5 November 2007 in the first session of the 6th Lower House of Parliament Bronisław Komorowski was elected Speaker by 292 votes. In the primary elections for Civic Platform’s candidate to run for presidency he won by landslide with 68.5% of support votes nationally, in all age groups and regions.
As a result of the tragic death of President Lech Kaczyński in the Smolensk plane crash on 10th April 2010, Bronisław Komorowski, the Speaker of the Sejm, became acting President of Poland, subject to the provisions of the Constitution of the Republic of Poland. He held the office until 8th July 2010, when he resigned from the position of the Speaker of the Sejm.
He received 6 981 319 votes (41.54%) in the first round of the presidential election on 20th June 2010, and came as the first out of 10 candidates. In the second round of the election (on 4th July 2010), 8 933 887 voters supported Komorowski (53.01%), enabling him to defeat the Law and Justice party candidate, Jarosław Kaczyński. Komorowski will be sworn in as president before the National Assembly on 6th August 2010.
- Gender
- Male
- Date of birth
- 1952-06-04
- Nationality
- Poland
- Profession
- Politician, Historian
Bronisław Komorowski was born on 4 July 1952 in Oborniki Slaskie near Wroclaw, in a family with strong traditions of independence and gentry. After the war he family settled in Lower Silesia although its roots are in the Eastern Kresy and Vilnius. Komorowski’s early childhood was spent in Poznan where his maternal grandparents lived, having returned from the war exile.
Between 1957 and1959 the Komorowski family, i.e. the parents, Bronislaw and his two sisters, lived in Jozefow near Otwock where the whole family crammed in a 10-metre kitchen of a damp barrack.
In 1959 the Komorowskis transferred to Pruszkow near Warsaw, where Bronislaw started primary education which he terminated already in Warsaw, moving with the family in 1966. He graduated from Cyprian Kamil Norwid High School and went on to study history in the Department of History at the University of Warsaw. He has been involved in the Scout Movement, which he credits for meeting his future wife. His anti-communist activity commenced when he was a highschooler - he participated in demonstrations, e.g. during March 68 events. He was arrested for the first time in 1971, at the tender age of 19.
In 1976 he took part in support operations for the victim workers from Radom and Ursus and cooperated with the Workers Defence Committe and the Movement for Defence of Human and Civic Rights. He organised patriotic rallies, worked as an underground printer, journalist, distributor and publisher, of, among others, Historical and Literary Library. During the years of his underground activity he was repeatedly arrested and persecuted.Under martial law he was detained in an internment camp.
In 1977 he married Anna Dembowska and is a father of five adult children – Zofia, Tadeusz, Maria, Piotr and Elzbieta as well as a grandfather of a 10-month-old Stanislaw. In 1977 he completed his MA studies and started an internship in Zespol Prasy PAX. From 1980 to 1981 he worked for the Centre of Social Investigation of NSZZ "Solidarity" and the years of martial law saw him working as a teacher of history at the Lower Seminary in Niepokalanow, where he stopped teaching in 1989.
Starting from 1982 he was an editor of an independent underground magazine ‘ABC’ (which stands for the Adriatic Sea, the Baltic Sea and the Black Sea) which was dealing with the problems of the East and Central-East Europe.
After 1989 he became a member of the home section of the Polish Community – an association helping the Poles living abroad. He was also the president of the Foundation for Helping Polish Libraries, the president of the board of the Euro-Atlantic Association as well as the president of Maritime and River League. Since 1989 he has held several government posts.
From 1989 to 1990 he was a manager of the office of minister Aleksander Hall. In 1991 he became an MP for the first time and has been holding this post for six terms now. He worked in a Committee for Poles Abroad, National Defence Committee and Committee for Foreign Affairs.
From 1990 to 1993 he was a civil deputy minister for national defence specialising in educational and social issues in the governments of Tadeusz Mazowiecki, Jan Krzysztof Bielecki and Hanna Suchocka.
Between 1997 and 2000 he presided over the Parliamentary National Defence Committee. Between 2000 and 2001 he was the minister of national defence in the government of Jerzy Buzek. Since 2001 he was the deputy chairman of the Parliamentary National Defence Committee and a member of Parliamentary Committee for Foreign Affairs. Bronislaw Komorowski was a member of Freedom Union, where he was a general secretary and was also involved with Conservative People’s Party, holding a position of deputy president.
Since 2001 he has been a member of Civic Platform in which he held the function of the chairman of the Mazowsze Region and since 2006 has been the deputy chairmain of the party.
In October 2005 he was elected Deputy Speaker for the 5th Lower House of Parliament. Before the last elections he wrote fragments of Civic Platform’s manifesto concerning foreign policies. In 2007 parliamentary elections Bronislaw Komorowski was on Civic Platform’s list in the Warsaw constituency, and polled almost 140,000 votes – a record-breaking number for this constituency.
On 5 November 2007 in the first session of the 6th Lower House of Parliament Bronisław Komorowski was elected Speaker by 292 votes. In the primary elections for Civic Platform’s candidate to run for presidency he won by landslide with 68.5% of support votes nationally, in all age groups and regions.
As a result of the tragic death of President Lech Kaczyński in the Smolensk plane crash on 10th April 2010, Bronisław Komorowski, the Speaker of the Sejm, became acting President of Poland, subject to the provisions of the Constitution of the Republic of Poland. He held the office until 8th July 2010, when he resigned from the position of the Speaker of the Sejm.
He received 6 981 319 votes (41.54%) in the first round of the presidential election on 20th June 2010, and came as the first out of 10 candidates. In the second round of the election (on 4th July 2010), 8 933 887 voters supported Komorowski (53.01%), enabling him to defeat the Law and Justice party candidate, Jarosław Kaczyński. Komorowski will be sworn in as president before the National Assembly on 6th August 2010.
Myanmar President U Thein Sein
Myanmar President U Thein Sein
Family: U Thein was born in a small village, Kyonku village, Ngapudaw Township, Pathein District in the Ayeyarwady Division of Myanmar on 20 April 1945. He was the youngest son of U Maung Phyo and Daw Khin Nyunt, born in a small wooden house on the road that runs through the center of Kyonku. All his childhood was being a poor kid. Mr. Kyaw Soe, a person from Kyonku village, said, ‘His parents were landless, and his father, U Maung Phyo, made a living carrying cargo at the river jetty and weaving bamboo mats.’ U Thein Sein married to Daw Khin Khin Win and they have three daughters.
U Thein Sein Service and Career:
Three Things That Open U Thein Sein Eyes:
1. Nargis Cyclone: When the Nargis Cyclone disaster happened to Myanmar in 2008, Thein Sein was the head of the country’s disaster preparedness committee and thus the leader of the military junta’s emergency response efforts. His native village, township and district was the most hit area. He saw how thing went terrible and horrible, it made him realize the limitations of the old regime.
2. International Affair: During his Prime Minister career, he represented Myanmar and visited several countries such as US (New York), Singapore and other countries. He saw something. This opened his eyes to the economic backwardness of the country, one of the poorest in Asia as well as the world.
3. Saffron Revolution: 2007 Saffron Revolution may turn his mind from the old regime. In Saffron revolution thousands of Monks were killed. According to close source U Thein Sein is devoted Buddhist. This occurred may be one of the most difficult thing for U Thien Sein to deal with. No more old school, start new fashion.
Some Result in His President Time:
When U Thein Sein became national leader, Myanmar has tasted new governing style; both authorization and democracy. Later on it changed step by step. Latest election, 1 April 2012, is free and fair election, there will be no more by election than that. International community also satisfied about that. The first and biggest thing President U Thein Sein has done change step by step. He is not revolutionist but he is reformist (Not Revolution but Evolution). Let’s count some change that we can see
1. Released Political Prisoners
2. Lead the election free and fair
3. Communicate to International Society (Ease Sanction)
4. Convince NLD and International Community
5. Reconciliation With Rebels
6. Open wider door for media and press
Family: U Thein was born in a small village, Kyonku village, Ngapudaw Township, Pathein District in the Ayeyarwady Division of Myanmar on 20 April 1945. He was the youngest son of U Maung Phyo and Daw Khin Nyunt, born in a small wooden house on the road that runs through the center of Kyonku. All his childhood was being a poor kid. Mr. Kyaw Soe, a person from Kyonku village, said, ‘His parents were landless, and his father, U Maung Phyo, made a living carrying cargo at the river jetty and weaving bamboo mats.’ U Thein Sein married to Daw Khin Khin Win and they have three daughters.
U Thein Sein Service and Career:
- 1968 Graduate of the Defense Services Academy – 9th intake
- 1988 Light Infantry Division 55 (Military Rank: Major; Location: Kalaw, Shan State)
- 1989 Graduate of the Command and General Staff College (Location: Kalaw, Shan State)
- 1990 Commander of Infantry Battalion 89 (Location: Kale, Sagaing Division)
- 1992 – 1995 General Staff Officer at the War Office (Military Rank: Colonel; Location: Rangoon)
- 1995 Military Operations Command- 4 (Location: Hmawbi Township, Rangoon. Assigned to establish the newly-formed military command)
- 1996 – 2001 Commander of the Triangle Regional Command (Military Rank: Brigadier General; Location: Kengtung Township, Shan State)
- Nov 2001 –Aug 2003 Adjutant General of the War Office (Military Rank: Major General.
- Aug 2003 – Oct 2004 SPDC Secretary-2
- Oct 2004 – Oct 2007 SPDC Secretary-1
- May 2004 – Sep 2007 Chairman of the National Convention Convening Commission (Oversaw the National Convention’s proceedings)
- Oct 2007 – Feb 2011 SPDC Prime Minister
- Oct 2008 – Feb 2011 Chairman of the National Disaster Preparedness Central Committee (Tasked to oversee relief efforts for cyclone Nargis)
- Apr 2010 – Feb 2011 USDP Chairman (Resigned from the USDP after being elected as Burma’s President)
- Nov 2010 – Feb 2011 Member of Parliament (Elected with 91% of the votes as the USDP candidate to the People’s Assembly in Naypyidaw’s Zabuthiri Township)
- Feb 2011 – Present Head of the National Defense and Security Council (NDSC)
- Feb 2011 – Present President of Myanmar (Elected with 408 out of 659 votes (62%) in the National Parliament) (Source:ALTSEAN)
Three Things That Open U Thein Sein Eyes:
1. Nargis Cyclone: When the Nargis Cyclone disaster happened to Myanmar in 2008, Thein Sein was the head of the country’s disaster preparedness committee and thus the leader of the military junta’s emergency response efforts. His native village, township and district was the most hit area. He saw how thing went terrible and horrible, it made him realize the limitations of the old regime.
2. International Affair: During his Prime Minister career, he represented Myanmar and visited several countries such as US (New York), Singapore and other countries. He saw something. This opened his eyes to the economic backwardness of the country, one of the poorest in Asia as well as the world.
3. Saffron Revolution: 2007 Saffron Revolution may turn his mind from the old regime. In Saffron revolution thousands of Monks were killed. According to close source U Thein Sein is devoted Buddhist. This occurred may be one of the most difficult thing for U Thien Sein to deal with. No more old school, start new fashion.
Some Result in His President Time:
When U Thein Sein became national leader, Myanmar has tasted new governing style; both authorization and democracy. Later on it changed step by step. Latest election, 1 April 2012, is free and fair election, there will be no more by election than that. International community also satisfied about that. The first and biggest thing President U Thein Sein has done change step by step. He is not revolutionist but he is reformist (Not Revolution but Evolution). Let’s count some change that we can see
1. Released Political Prisoners
2. Lead the election free and fair
3. Communicate to International Society (Ease Sanction)
4. Convince NLD and International Community
5. Reconciliation With Rebels
6. Open wider door for media and press
François Hollande
François Hollande
In 1983, Hollande began serving on the Ussel town council and was elected to the National Assembly in 1988. Although he lost his seat in 1993, he reclaimed it in 1997. That same year, Lionel Jospin tapped Hollande to be the Socialist Party chairman. Hollande was then elected mayor of Tulle in 2001 and held the post until 2008.
A few weeks after her defeat, the couple announced their separation. Mere days after they made the announcement, Royal published a book accusing Hollande of having an affair with Valerie Trierweiler, a political journalist with Paris Match. Hollande admitted to the affair, and he and Trierweiler have been together since.
President Nicolas Sarkozy announced that he would seek re-election in February 2012 and promptly began criticizing Hollande’s proposals, claiming they would be disastrous for the economy. Polls initially showed a close race, but Hollande pulled ahead comfortably in the second ballot. He won France's presidential election on May 6,
François Hollande was born in Rouen on August 12th 1954. He is currently the President of France. Hollande graduated from Institut d'Études Politiques de Paris, École nationale d'administration and HEC School of Management. He has worked as a lawyer, a politician, a mayor and a president.
françois Hollande was born in Rouen, France in 1954. He attended a series of elite French schools and joined the Socialist Party in 1979. First elected to the Ussel town council, he went on to win a National Assembly seat in 1988. He was made chair of the Socialist Party and announced a bid for the presidency in 2011, and beat incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy to become France's 24th president in 2012.
Early Life
François Hollande was born on August 12, 1954 in Rouen, France to a right-wing physician father and a progressive social worker mother. The family moved to Paris when Hollande was 13, and after graduating from the public school system, he attended the Institut de Sciences Politiques and then the École des Hautes Études Commerciales, France's top business school. He then entered the École Nationale d’Administration.Early Career
Hollande demonstrated an early interest in politics and volunteered for François Mitterrand's second unsuccessful presidential campaign while he was still a student. Five years later, in 1979, he joined the Socialist Party. By then, Mitterrand had been elected on his third try and he appointed Hollande a junior economic advisor. Hollande held this post until he went to work for Max Gallo, the press secretary to former prime minister Pierre Mauroy.In 1983, Hollande began serving on the Ussel town council and was elected to the National Assembly in 1988. Although he lost his seat in 1993, he reclaimed it in 1997. That same year, Lionel Jospin tapped Hollande to be the Socialist Party chairman. Hollande was then elected mayor of Tulle in 2001 and held the post until 2008.
Personal Life
While a student at Ecole Nationale d'Administration University, Hollande met and began dating Ségolène Royal. They lived as domestic partners but did not marry, having four children together. Royal had political aspirations of her own and in 2007 ran for president against Hollande's wishes.A few weeks after her defeat, the couple announced their separation. Mere days after they made the announcement, Royal published a book accusing Hollande of having an affair with Valerie Trierweiler, a political journalist with Paris Match. Hollande admitted to the affair, and he and Trierweiler have been together since.
Presidential Race
In March of 2011, Hollande announced that he would seek the Socialist Party nomination for president. He faced five other candidates in the primary, including Ségolène Royal and the frontrunner, IMF Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn. When Strauss-Kahn was arrested in New York on sexual assault charges, Hollande took the lead in polls. He won the party's nomination on October 16, 2011. The following January, Hollande outlined a list of policies that he would seek to enact if elected, including increasing taxes on corporations, reducing the retirement age, establishing a public investment bank to promote French industry, and granting marriage and adoptions rights to same-sex couples.President Nicolas Sarkozy announced that he would seek re-election in February 2012 and promptly began criticizing Hollande’s proposals, claiming they would be disastrous for the economy. Polls initially showed a close race, but Hollande pulled ahead comfortably in the second ballot. He won France's presidential election on May 6,
- 2012 and was sworn in on May 15. He was the first candidate in 31 years to unseat an incumbent president after a single term.
Pratibha Patil
Pratibha Patil
Born On: 19th December 1934
Born In: Nadgaon, Maharashtra
Career: President of India
Pratibha Patil was born to Narayan Rao on 19th December 1934, in a small village of Jalgaon district in Maharashtra. She received her early education at Jalgaon. She did postgraduation at Jalgaon. She obtained a law degree from Government Law College, Mumbai. She was very good at sports and games. She was a good player of table tennis. She won various inter-college tournaments.
Pratibha Patil began her political career in 1962 at the age of 27 when she was elected in assembly election from Edlabad constituency. In 1967, she became deputy minister for education. In her next term in 1972-78, she was a full cabinet minister for the state. She held the portfolios of tourism, social welfare, housing, etc. In 1985, she was elected to the Rajya Sabha. She never lost election that she contested.
Pratibha Patil was married to educator Devising Ramsingh Shekhawat in July 1965. She set up an education institute in Jalgaon and Mumbai with her husband Ramsingh Shekhawat. She also constituted Shram Sadhana Trust that runs hostels for working women in New Delhi, Mumbai and Pune. She also founded a co-operative sugar factory and a co-operative bank named after herself as Pratibha Mahila Sahakari Bank. She has also been involved in setting up various educational and professional institutions to help the neglected, deprived and disadvantaged sections of society.
In 1977, when there was split in the Congress Party, Pratibha Patil remained with Indira Gandhi while many senior Congress leaders joined the other faction of the split Congress. She also served as the deputy chairperson of the Rajya Sabha. In 1991, she was for the first time elected for the 10th Lok Sabha from Amravati, her husband’s city. In 2004, she was appointed the governor of Rajasthan. She was the first woman to honour this prestigious post. She resigned from the post of the governor of Rajasthan on June 21, 2007, when she filed nomination as a candidate for President Election. She was the deputy chairperson of the Rajya Sabha from November 1986 to November 1988. She efficiently performed her duty.
Pratibha Devising Patil created history in Indian politics by being the first woman President in the 60th year of India’s Independence. At the age of 72, with wide political experience she is expected to take the nation at the height of fame and glory by her vision and decision. Indian women have lots of expectations from the President.
Born On: 19th December 1934
Born In: Nadgaon, Maharashtra
Career: President of India
Pratibha Patil was born to Narayan Rao on 19th December 1934, in a small village of Jalgaon district in Maharashtra. She received her early education at Jalgaon. She did postgraduation at Jalgaon. She obtained a law degree from Government Law College, Mumbai. She was very good at sports and games. She was a good player of table tennis. She won various inter-college tournaments.
Pratibha Patil began her political career in 1962 at the age of 27 when she was elected in assembly election from Edlabad constituency. In 1967, she became deputy minister for education. In her next term in 1972-78, she was a full cabinet minister for the state. She held the portfolios of tourism, social welfare, housing, etc. In 1985, she was elected to the Rajya Sabha. She never lost election that she contested.
Pratibha Patil was married to educator Devising Ramsingh Shekhawat in July 1965. She set up an education institute in Jalgaon and Mumbai with her husband Ramsingh Shekhawat. She also constituted Shram Sadhana Trust that runs hostels for working women in New Delhi, Mumbai and Pune. She also founded a co-operative sugar factory and a co-operative bank named after herself as Pratibha Mahila Sahakari Bank. She has also been involved in setting up various educational and professional institutions to help the neglected, deprived and disadvantaged sections of society.
In 1977, when there was split in the Congress Party, Pratibha Patil remained with Indira Gandhi while many senior Congress leaders joined the other faction of the split Congress. She also served as the deputy chairperson of the Rajya Sabha. In 1991, she was for the first time elected for the 10th Lok Sabha from Amravati, her husband’s city. In 2004, she was appointed the governor of Rajasthan. She was the first woman to honour this prestigious post. She resigned from the post of the governor of Rajasthan on June 21, 2007, when she filed nomination as a candidate for President Election. She was the deputy chairperson of the Rajya Sabha from November 1986 to November 1988. She efficiently performed her duty.
Pratibha Devising Patil created history in Indian politics by being the first woman President in the 60th year of India’s Independence. At the age of 72, with wide political experience she is expected to take the nation at the height of fame and glory by her vision and decision. Indian women have lots of expectations from the President.
Pranab Mukherjee
Pranab Mukherjee
Pranab Mukherjee is the 13th President of India. He won the Presidential Elections to his rival P Sangma by a huge Margin. Pranab Mukherjee was born in a Brahmin family at Mirati in Birbhum district of West Bengal to Kamada Kinkar Mukherjee and Rajlakshmi Mukherjee on December 11, 1935.
His Father, Kamada Kumar Mukherjee was a Freedom Fighter and an active member of Indian National Congress, who had spent more than 10 years in British jails.
Pranab Mukherjee graduated from Suri Vidyasagar College under University of Calcutta withs a Master of Arts degree in History and Political Science and also a degree in law.
Mukherjee was upper-division clerk in the office of the Deputy Accountant-General (Post and Telegraph) in Calcutta and later became a college-teacher and later a journalist in Bengali publication Desher Dak (Call of Motherland).
Mukherjee was chairman of the Indian Statistical Institute in Kolkata. He is also the former chairman and president of the Rabindra Bharati University and the Nikhil Bharat Banga Sahitya Sammelan. Mukherjee is a former trustee of the Bangiya Sahitya Parishad and the Bidhan Memorial Trust. Mukherjee used to be on the Planning Board of the Asiatic Society
His Political career begun as a Rajya Sabha member from Congress Party in 1969. Thereafter, he re-elected in 1975, 1981, 1993, and 1999. His ministerial career begun in 1973 as the Deputy Minister, Industrial Development. After that he hardly looked back. When he was the Finance Minister of India during 1982 to 1984, Euromoney Magazine rated him as the best Finance Minister of the world.
Thereafter, barring a brief period, Shri Mukherjee, served the country as a cabinet Minister, more or less in every National Congress Ministry.
Personal Life
Pranab Mukherjee was married to Suvra Mukherjee on July 13, 1957 and has two sons, Abhijit and Indrajit and a daughter. Abhijit Mukherjee, is a Congress Legislator from West Bengal.
Pranab Mukherjee is very Religious. He makes it every year to his ancestral Village to Celebrate Durga Puja.The puja having a ‘social dimension’ for him. “I want to avail of this opportunity to be with the people of my area,” he said once.
As an Author he has written 5 Books, Midterm Poll –1969, Beyond Survival: Emerging Dimensions of Indian Economy – 1984, Off the Track –1987,Saga of Struggle and Sacrifice –1992 and Challenges Before the Nation (on Indian National Congress)- 1992.
Pranab Mukherjee is the 13th President of India. He won the Presidential Elections to his rival P Sangma by a huge Margin. Pranab Mukherjee was born in a Brahmin family at Mirati in Birbhum district of West Bengal to Kamada Kinkar Mukherjee and Rajlakshmi Mukherjee on December 11, 1935.
His Father, Kamada Kumar Mukherjee was a Freedom Fighter and an active member of Indian National Congress, who had spent more than 10 years in British jails.
Pranab Mukherjee graduated from Suri Vidyasagar College under University of Calcutta withs a Master of Arts degree in History and Political Science and also a degree in law.
Mukherjee was upper-division clerk in the office of the Deputy Accountant-General (Post and Telegraph) in Calcutta and later became a college-teacher and later a journalist in Bengali publication Desher Dak (Call of Motherland).
Mukherjee was chairman of the Indian Statistical Institute in Kolkata. He is also the former chairman and president of the Rabindra Bharati University and the Nikhil Bharat Banga Sahitya Sammelan. Mukherjee is a former trustee of the Bangiya Sahitya Parishad and the Bidhan Memorial Trust. Mukherjee used to be on the Planning Board of the Asiatic Society
His Political career begun as a Rajya Sabha member from Congress Party in 1969. Thereafter, he re-elected in 1975, 1981, 1993, and 1999. His ministerial career begun in 1973 as the Deputy Minister, Industrial Development. After that he hardly looked back. When he was the Finance Minister of India during 1982 to 1984, Euromoney Magazine rated him as the best Finance Minister of the world.
Thereafter, barring a brief period, Shri Mukherjee, served the country as a cabinet Minister, more or less in every National Congress Ministry.
Personal Life
Pranab Mukherjee was married to Suvra Mukherjee on July 13, 1957 and has two sons, Abhijit and Indrajit and a daughter. Abhijit Mukherjee, is a Congress Legislator from West Bengal.
Pranab Mukherjee is very Religious. He makes it every year to his ancestral Village to Celebrate Durga Puja.The puja having a ‘social dimension’ for him. “I want to avail of this opportunity to be with the people of my area,” he said once.
As an Author he has written 5 Books, Midterm Poll –1969, Beyond Survival: Emerging Dimensions of Indian Economy – 1984, Off the Track –1987,Saga of Struggle and Sacrifice –1992 and Challenges Before the Nation (on Indian National Congress)- 1992.
Bhumibol Adulyadej
Bhumibol Adulyadej
Bhumibol Adulyadej
Bhumibol Adulyadej (born 1927) was declared king of Thailand in 1946 and formally crowned four years later. He represented the Chakri Dynasty that has preserved the independence of Thailand for more than 200 years.King Bhumibol Adulyadej, born on December 5, 1927, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is the only Thai monarch ever to be born abroad. He was the youngest son of Prince Mahidol of Songkhla, and the direct grandson of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), noted for the widespread reforms he introduced into Thailand.
After a short period of primary school in Bangkok, King Bhumibol left with his family for Switzerland, where he attended the Ecole Nouvelle de la Suisse Romande, and then received his Bachelier des Lettres diploma from the Gymnase Classique Cantonal of Lausanne. He entered Lausanne University to study science but, following the mysterious death of his elder brother, King Ananda Mahidol, in June 1946, he was declared king, although his formal coronation did not take place until May 5, 1950. On April 28 of that year he married Queen Sirikit of the Kittiyakara family. He returned to Switzerland to study political science and law, but was called back to Thailand to deal with pressing national needs.
The role of the Thai monarch is pivotal in the society of Thailand. Not only is he the figure that has preserved the Thai state in the face of repeated external threats through the 200 years of the Chakri Dynasty, he is also the symbol of the nation. Even more, he is the focus of the continuity of Thai values and social cohesion in spite of rapid social and economic change. He is the leading supporter of Buddhism in Thai society, and the stability that he provides through his very presence is what allows swings of political activity and military coups to take place without threatening the fabric of Thai society. There is no question that he is widely revered.
Used His Position To Help His Countrymen
Traditionally, the monarch in Thailand has been considered above politics, and for years King Bhumibol played an inconspicuous political role in keeping with that view. He was, however, drawn into current events on occasion to mediate crises or negotiate compromises, and it was a testament to his position and the reverence in which he was held that he succeeded.Bhumibol was a symbol both of national unity and of modernity. Unlike other monarchs before him, Bhumibol visited every province of his country and suggested infrastructural improvements that might benefit the people. His personal work in rural areas was widely acclaimed because of his success in convincing hill tribes to switch their growing of opium to that of vegetables, fruit, and coffee. As a result, opium cultivation declined by 85%. Village roads, electricity, and irrigation systems were all part of Bhumibol's rural development efforts and modernization of Thai farming.
Describing himself as "an amateur scientist," Bhumibol turned substantial portions of his Bangkok residence, the Chitralada Palace, into living laboratories where projects were undertaken to improve the standard of living. Royal Chitralada Projects included livestock improvement, milk production, hybridization of grains, bee keeping, fish breeding, reforestation, and various food processing techniques. According to the King's wishes, the palace grounds functioned as one great workshop and school for teaching and learning—all for the good of national development.
Because of his broad international training, the king was noted as a devotee of modern music and played the clarinet, as well as composed. He was said to have broad cultural interests, but the myriad ceremonial duties left him little time for personal interests.
King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit had four children, a son and three daughters. The eldest child, Princess Ubon Ratana, was born in Lausanne, Switzerland, on April 5, 1951, and renounced her title when she married an American in 1972. Crown Prince Vijiralongkorn was born in Bangkok on July 28, 1952. He was a graduate of the Australian Royal Military Academy in 1975 and of the Thai Command and General Staff College in 1978. Princess Sirinthon was born on April 2, 1955, and was in a graduate education program at Srinakharinwirot; and Princess Chulaphon, who was born on July 4, 1957, studied chemistry at Mahidol University in Bangkok.
Although Bhumibol preferred his people to politics, he nevertheless commanded enough respect to successfully intervene politically when necessary. In 1981 he was able to thwart an attempted coup against Premier Prem Tinsulanond by simply requesting that those involved cease their efforts. In 1992 the King's public chastisement of the military government's handling of pro-democracy demonstrations again restored order. Bhumibol was universally revered throughout Thailand and contributed greatly to his country's stability. On June 9, 1996, Bhumibol celebrated his 50th anniversary on the throne, becoming Thailand's longest ruling monarch.
The Chakri Dynasty accomplished the difficult task of keeping Thailand independent in the face of colonial threats and created a modern state while preserving its cultural traditions. King Bhumibol continued in that tradition by extending the power of the central government to its peripheral geographical areas and attempting to improve the lot of the rural poor. As the chief supporter and principal patron of Buddhism, the king was in some real sense viewed as the symbolic embodiment of that long tradition.
Abdullah GUL
Abdullah GUL
Abdullah Gul became the 11th president of the Turkish Republic after receiving 339 votes of the lawmakers in the third round of presidential election in the parliament.
The Justice and Development Party deputy from Kayseri and Foreign Minister Abdullah GUL was born in Kayseri on October 29, 1950, the anniversary of the foundation of the Turkish Republic.
His middle name "Cumhur" which means people- was chosen because his birth coincided with Republic Day, but his family did not formally register "Cumhur" on his birth certificate.
His father, Ahmet Hamdi GUL, worked at an aircraft factory in Kayseri; his mother was the daughter of a teacher. Being the first male grandchild in the family, Abdullah GUL became the apple of the eye of both his paternal and maternal families, both of which are very old families.
In his youth GUL was instrumental in the formation of the ideology behind the Great East Thought Club and the National Turkish Students' Union. He closely monitored the seminars given by poet Necip Fazil Kisakürek.
After graduation from Istanbul University GUL did his doctorate in the faculty of economics. He later taught economics in Sakarya University's department of industrial engineering. GUL went to Saudi Arabia in 1983 to work in the Islamic Development Bank, where he would stay for eight years.
Abdullah GUL first encountered Turkish politics in 1991 when Necmettin Erbakan who was once prime minister of Turkiye asked GUL to work for his Welfare Party. In his early years in Parliament, GUL saw the appreciation of not only his own party, but other parties. GUL later became the Welfare Party's poster boy, particularly attracting attention in speeches and efforts on the parliamentary Planning and Budgetary Commission.
During his foreign missions, including those to the European Commission, he made many new friends and also paved the way to the Foreign Ministry. In 1993 he became his party's vice president in charge of foreign affairs.
After serving as a minister and the spokesman for the coalition government led by Erbakan, GUL continued to work with his closest friends at the party's Political Research Center and founded the new Justice and Development Party in August 2001.
GUL has made invaluable contributions to the AK Party government, both as prime minister and as foreign minister. Under his tutelage Turkiye started progress towards membership in the EU, was active in the resolution of international crises and established new points of communal reconciliation. The Cypriot policy Turkiye has followed for years underwent a complete change during his time at the Foreign Ministry. The international community began to closely monitor Turkiye's foreign policy during his time at the ministry's helm.
His bid for presidency, which has never ceased to have tension and excitement for the experienced politician, began on April 20, when GUL was officially announced by Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan as the party's only presidential candidate.
Foreign Minister GUL, whose road was full of obstacles, has received the positive results of his determined walk toward the Presidential Palace. Having made a very bright career in the political sphere and having obtained a golden opportunity to become the top man in the state, GUL has been at the heart of the most heated national debates.
Turkiye was soon to find itself in a very tense atmosphere. The opposition parties did not participate in the first round of the vote in the parliament, and the Constitutional Court incapacitated the Parliament by making an arbitrary interpretation of the quorum of 367. Therefore Erdogan's government had no other choice except head for elections.
Ultimately, the elections were set for July 22. It was held under the shadow of the presidential election crisis. The victimization of Abdullah GUL deeply influenced the voters. And GUL participated in the election rallies in person. He was received everywhere he went with the slogan of "President GUL!" The AK Party's percentage of the vote, 47 percent, was binding both for GUL and his party.
And the discussions over Abdullah GUL's presidential bid were not over. Although Prime Minister Erdogan and GUL were tight-lipped about who would run, GUL was determined. He strongly implied his candidacy by noting in a statement he made right after the elections: "I cannot overlook the people's will."
Moncef Marzouki
Moncef Marzouki
Moncef Marzouki was the leader of the center-left party CPR (Congress For the Republic) until he became the fifth Tunisian President since December 12, 2011. In 2001, Marzouki founded the Congress for the Republic Party (CPR), which took the second highest number of seats (29) in the October 23rd Constituent Assembly elections.
October 21st, 2011 marked the last official day of the electoral campaign, and the Congress for the Republic held their closing rally in the Labor Stock Market office in downtown. Party leader Moncef Marzouki delivered an emotional but upbeat message focusing on overcoming the challenges left to Tunisians after 23 years of dictatorship.
After the revolution of January 14, the CPR emerged on the political stage and received its authorization on March 8th, 2011. According to the party, its main target is to ensure “the sovereignty of the people, the dignity of the citizen and the legitimacy of the state.” The party is known as being against the interference of money in political life. Moncef Marzouki accused Ennahda, the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) and the Free Patriotic Union (UPL) of buying votes.
The party is recognized by its symbol: the glasses. It is considered a sort of self-deprecation, as Moncef Marzouki is famous for his glasses. The party also specified: “this product is free of political funds”. The slogan of the party is: “for a clearer vision”.
Moncef Marzouki studied at the University of Strasbourg and graduated in 1973. He conducted research abroad and then came back to Tunisia and taught general medicine at the University of Sousse.
He occupied several key positions such as head of the Tunisian League of Human Rights and head of the National Committee for the Defense of Prisoners of Opinion
Moncef Marzouki was the leader of the center-left party CPR (Congress For the Republic) until he became the fifth Tunisian President since December 12, 2011. In 2001, Marzouki founded the Congress for the Republic Party (CPR), which took the second highest number of seats (29) in the October 23rd Constituent Assembly elections.
October 21st, 2011 marked the last official day of the electoral campaign, and the Congress for the Republic held their closing rally in the Labor Stock Market office in downtown. Party leader Moncef Marzouki delivered an emotional but upbeat message focusing on overcoming the challenges left to Tunisians after 23 years of dictatorship.
After the revolution of January 14, the CPR emerged on the political stage and received its authorization on March 8th, 2011. According to the party, its main target is to ensure “the sovereignty of the people, the dignity of the citizen and the legitimacy of the state.” The party is known as being against the interference of money in political life. Moncef Marzouki accused Ennahda, the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) and the Free Patriotic Union (UPL) of buying votes.
The party is recognized by its symbol: the glasses. It is considered a sort of self-deprecation, as Moncef Marzouki is famous for his glasses. The party also specified: “this product is free of political funds”. The slogan of the party is: “for a clearer vision”.
Moncef Marzouki studied at the University of Strasbourg and graduated in 1973. He conducted research abroad and then came back to Tunisia and taught general medicine at the University of Sousse.
He occupied several key positions such as head of the Tunisian League of Human Rights and head of the National Committee for the Defense of Prisoners of Opinion
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Crin Antonescu
Crin Antonescu
born 21 September 1959) is a Romanian politician, serving as President of the National Liberal Party (PNL He is a member of the Senate, his election having taken place during the 2008 legislative election. Between 1996 and 2008 he was a member of the Chamber of Deputies, acting as leader of the party delegates between 2007 and 2008. On 3 July 2012 he was elected President of the Senate after the latter dismissed the former leader Vasile Blaga from office. He became Acting President of Romania on 10 July 2012 after the Parliament suspended Traian Băsescu for the second time on 6 July 2012.
Early life and education
Antonescu was born in Tulcea, Tulcea County. After his parents divorce he was raised by his father, who encouraged him to attend the Faculty of History and Philosophy at the National University of Bucharest, in order to become a History teacher
Professional career
Upon graduating in 1985, Crin Antonescu worked as a History teacher in the village of Solești, Vaslui County He later returned to Tulcea, continuing his teaching activity in Niculiţel until 1989. Antonescu worked as a curator for the Tulcea Museum of History and Archaeology from 1989 to 1990, when he resumed his teaching activity at the “Spiru Haret” High School in Tulcea, prior to being elected to the Chamber of Deputies.
Crin Antonescu was the Romanian Minister of Youth and Sports from 1997 to 2000 He initiated a series of reforms, the most prominent being the legal perpetuity for Romanian athletes with significant Olympic results
As of 20 March 2009, Crin Antonescu was the President of the National Liberal Party, in addition to being the party’s candidate for the 2009 Presidential Elections in Romania. In September 2009, Crin Antonescu was situated third in Romanians' voting preferences for the 2009 Presidential elections. As of May 2011 he is credited by public polls as first in line for the next Presidential elections.After President Traian Basescu's suspension on 3rd July 2012, he assumed acting presidency of Romania.
born 21 September 1959) is a Romanian politician, serving as President of the National Liberal Party (PNL He is a member of the Senate, his election having taken place during the 2008 legislative election. Between 1996 and 2008 he was a member of the Chamber of Deputies, acting as leader of the party delegates between 2007 and 2008. On 3 July 2012 he was elected President of the Senate after the latter dismissed the former leader Vasile Blaga from office. He became Acting President of Romania on 10 July 2012 after the Parliament suspended Traian Băsescu for the second time on 6 July 2012.
Early life and education
Antonescu was born in Tulcea, Tulcea County. After his parents divorce he was raised by his father, who encouraged him to attend the Faculty of History and Philosophy at the National University of Bucharest, in order to become a History teacher
Professional career
Upon graduating in 1985, Crin Antonescu worked as a History teacher in the village of Solești, Vaslui County He later returned to Tulcea, continuing his teaching activity in Niculiţel until 1989. Antonescu worked as a curator for the Tulcea Museum of History and Archaeology from 1989 to 1990, when he resumed his teaching activity at the “Spiru Haret” High School in Tulcea, prior to being elected to the Chamber of Deputies.
Political career
Upon joining the National Liberal Party, Antonescu helped organize the Tulcea branch of the party. In 1995, he was elected PNL Vice President and, subsequently, leader of the Liberal politicians active in the Chamber of Deputies, holding that position for two non-consecutive mandates. During his activity in the Chamber of Deputies, he was a member of the Committee for Education, Youth and Sports, the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Committee of Culture, Arts and Media.Crin Antonescu was the Romanian Minister of Youth and Sports from 1997 to 2000 He initiated a series of reforms, the most prominent being the legal perpetuity for Romanian athletes with significant Olympic results
As of 20 March 2009, Crin Antonescu was the President of the National Liberal Party, in addition to being the party’s candidate for the 2009 Presidential Elections in Romania. In September 2009, Crin Antonescu was situated third in Romanians' voting preferences for the 2009 Presidential elections. As of May 2011 he is credited by public polls as first in line for the next Presidential elections.After President Traian Basescu's suspension on 3rd July 2012, he assumed acting presidency of Romania.
Personal life
Antonescu's first wife Aurelia committed suicide in 2004 due to an incurable disease. The pair have a daughter, Irina, born in 2001. In June 2009, Antonescu announced he would get married again to party colleague Adina Vălean. The couple married on 25 September 2009
Rupiah Banda
Rupiah Banda
Rupiah Banda was born in Gwanda on February 13th 1937. He is currently the President of Zambia and head of state of Zambia. Banda graduated from Cambridge University, Wolfson College, Cambridge and Lund University. His current occupation is politician.
Rupiah Banda, 71, who was poised Tuesday to become acting president following the death of Zambia's leader of seven years, Levy Mwanawasa, is a career diplomat with a sideline in business.
Under the Zambian constitution, when a sitting president dies, the vice president automatically becomes president but must call elections within 90 days.
Banda was born in 1937 in Gwanda, in the south of what was then British-ruled Southern Rhodesia, but he has has Zambian nationality.
Following the independence of what was then Northern Rhodesia from Britain in 1964 Banda served as ambassador to Egypt first, then the United States.
He also served as Zambia's representative to the United Nations before being made foreign minister in the 1970s in the administration of Zambia's first post-independence leader, Kenneth Kaunda.
With a degree in economics, he was also at one point the managing director of the National Agricultural Marketing Board (NAMBOARD), which is responsible for buying locally-produced staple foods.
After his spell as foreign minister, Banda served 10 years as a parliamentarian between 1978 and 1988.
As the owner of KB Davis, a firm that supplies mining equipment in the north-central Copperbelt region, he is also a prominent businessman.
His appointment to the post of vice president following Mwanawasa's reelection to a second five-year term in 2006 was seen as a move to reward Zambians in his home area, a stronghold of his (and Kaunda's) United National Independence Party, for supporting the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD).
Reflecting on his career during an address to ambassadors in recent months, Banda said: "The diplomatic service was a launching pad. It gave me all the experience needed in statecraft, diplomacy and governance."
After Mwanawasa fell out of favour with Zimbabwe's authoritarian leader Robert Mugabe for calling Zimbabwe a "sinking Titanic" last year it was Banda who was dispatched to Harare to smooth the ruffled feathers.
Despite being 11 years the senior of deceased President Levy Mwanwasa, who was dogged by health problems, Banda, a grandfather, says he is in good health. - dpa
Banda was born in 1937 in Gwanda, in the south of what was then British-ruled Southern Rhodesia, but he has has Zambian nationality.
Following the independence of what was then Northern Rhodesia from Britain in 1964 Banda served as ambassador to Egypt first, then the United States.
He also served as Zambia's representative to the United Nations before being made foreign minister in the 1970s in the administration of Zambia's first post-independence leader, Kenneth Kaunda.
With a degree in economics, he was also at one point the managing director of the National Agricultural Marketing Board (NAMBOARD), which is responsible for buying locally-produced staple foods.
After his spell as foreign minister, Banda served 10 years as a parliamentarian between 1978 and 1988.
As the owner of KB Davis, a firm that supplies mining equipment in the north-central Copperbelt region, he is also a prominent businessman.
His appointment to the post of vice president following Mwanawasa's reelection to a second five-year term in 2006 was seen as a move to reward Zambians in his home area, a stronghold of his (and Kaunda's) United National Independence Party, for supporting the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD).
Reflecting on his career during an address to ambassadors in recent months, Banda said: "The diplomatic service was a launching pad. It gave me all the experience needed in statecraft, diplomacy and governance."
After Mwanawasa fell out of favour with Zimbabwe's authoritarian leader Robert Mugabe for calling Zimbabwe a "sinking Titanic" last year it was Banda who was dispatched to Harare to smooth the ruffled feathers.
Despite being 11 years the senior of deceased President Levy Mwanwasa, who was dogged by health problems, Banda, a grandfather, says he is in good health. - dpa
Michael Chilufya Sata
Michael Chilufya Sata
Michael Chilufya Sata (born 1937 is the 5th president of Zambia. Sata ran for President for a fourth time in the election held on 20 September 2011 and He was declares winner . He leads the Patriotic Front (PF), a major political party in Zambia. He was elected president in September 2011. Under President Frederick Chiluba, Sata was a minister during the 1990s as part of the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) government; he went into opposition in 2001, forming the PF. As an opposition leader, Sata—popularly known as "King Cobra"—emerged as the leading opposition presidential contender and rival to President Levy Mwanawasa in the 2006 presidential election, but was defeated. Following Mwanawasa's death, Sata ran again and lost to President Rupiah Banda in 2008.
After ten years in opposition, Sata defeated Banda, the incumbent, to win the September 2011 presidential election with a plurality of the vote.
Early years
Michael Chilufya Sata was born and brought up in Mpika, Northern Province. He worked as a police officer, railway man and trade unionist before during colonial rule. Sata began actively participating in the politics of Northern Rhodesia in 1963. Following independence, he worked his way up through the rough-and-tumble rank-and-file of the ruling United National Independence Party (UNIP) to the governorship of Lusaka in 1985. As Governor, he made his mark as a man of action with a hands on approach. He cleaned up the streets, patched roadways and built bridges in the city. Afterward he became a Member of Parliament for Kabwata constituency in Lusaka. Though once close with President Kenneth Kaunda, he became disillusioned by Kaunda's dictatorial style and he left the UNIP to join the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) during the campaign for multi-party politics in 1991.
After Frederick Chiluba defeated Kaunda in 1991, Sata became one of Zambia's most instantly recognisable faces. Under the MMD, he served as minister for local government, labour and, briefly, health where, he boasts, his "reforms brought sanity to the health system".
In 1995, he was appointed as minister without portfolio, the party's national organising secretary during which his political style was described as "increasingly abrasive".
Formation of Patriotic Front
In 2001, President Chiluba nominated Levy Mwanawasa as the MMD's presidential candidate for the 2001 election. In frustration, Sata left the MMD and set up a new party, the Patriotic Front (PF). He contested the 2001 election but did not do well—his party only won one seat in parliament. Sata conceded defeat and continued campaigning.
Sata ran for President for a fourth time in the election held on 20 September 2011. In the early stages of the campaign he was more vitriolic in his anti-Chinese rhetoric, but he later toned down his rhetoric. Results showed him receiving about 43% of the vote against 36% for Banda, and Chief Justice Ernest Sakala accordingly declared that he had won the election in the early hours of 23 September 2011.
Michael Chilufya Sata (born 1937 is the 5th president of Zambia. Sata ran for President for a fourth time in the election held on 20 September 2011 and He was declares winner . He leads the Patriotic Front (PF), a major political party in Zambia. He was elected president in September 2011. Under President Frederick Chiluba, Sata was a minister during the 1990s as part of the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) government; he went into opposition in 2001, forming the PF. As an opposition leader, Sata—popularly known as "King Cobra"—emerged as the leading opposition presidential contender and rival to President Levy Mwanawasa in the 2006 presidential election, but was defeated. Following Mwanawasa's death, Sata ran again and lost to President Rupiah Banda in 2008.
After ten years in opposition, Sata defeated Banda, the incumbent, to win the September 2011 presidential election with a plurality of the vote.
Early years
Michael Chilufya Sata was born and brought up in Mpika, Northern Province. He worked as a police officer, railway man and trade unionist before during colonial rule. Sata began actively participating in the politics of Northern Rhodesia in 1963. Following independence, he worked his way up through the rough-and-tumble rank-and-file of the ruling United National Independence Party (UNIP) to the governorship of Lusaka in 1985. As Governor, he made his mark as a man of action with a hands on approach. He cleaned up the streets, patched roadways and built bridges in the city. Afterward he became a Member of Parliament for Kabwata constituency in Lusaka. Though once close with President Kenneth Kaunda, he became disillusioned by Kaunda's dictatorial style and he left the UNIP to join the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) during the campaign for multi-party politics in 1991.
After Frederick Chiluba defeated Kaunda in 1991, Sata became one of Zambia's most instantly recognisable faces. Under the MMD, he served as minister for local government, labour and, briefly, health where, he boasts, his "reforms brought sanity to the health system".
In 1995, he was appointed as minister without portfolio, the party's national organising secretary during which his political style was described as "increasingly abrasive".
Formation of Patriotic Front
In 2001, President Chiluba nominated Levy Mwanawasa as the MMD's presidential candidate for the 2001 election. In frustration, Sata left the MMD and set up a new party, the Patriotic Front (PF). He contested the 2001 election but did not do well—his party only won one seat in parliament. Sata conceded defeat and continued campaigning.
Sata ran for President for a fourth time in the election held on 20 September 2011. In the early stages of the campaign he was more vitriolic in his anti-Chinese rhetoric, but he later toned down his rhetoric. Results showed him receiving about 43% of the vote against 36% for Banda, and Chief Justice Ernest Sakala accordingly declared that he had won the election in the early hours of 23 September 2011.
Hafez al-Assad
Hafez al-Assad
(1930-2000)
Hafez al-Assad was born in Kurdaha near Lattakia, Syria, on October 6, 1930. He obtained his High School degree in Lattakia in early forties. He showed interest in public issues during that period which witnessed the Second World War. He participated in demonstrations against the French Occupation as well as in political activities to attain independence, which was achieved on April 17th, 1946.
He was elected to the Students Committee in Lattakia and chaired the first Students Conference in Syria. At that time, as Chairman of the Committee, he led the student's movement under the banner of Al Baath Arab Socialist Party. Liberation from colonialism, Palestinian cause and other national issues were the prominent issues of his concern in late forties and early fifties.
He formally enrolled in the Baath Arab Socialist Party in 1946, and struggled under its banner against the old political forces. He joined the Military Academy in 1952 where he chose the Air force Academy from which he graduated Air force Lieutenant Pilot in early 1955. On graduating he was champion in Aerobatics.
He attended many military courses; the most important was in the former Soviet Union, as Fighter Pilot and Night & Day Fighting Pilot. He passed a course of Squadron Leader with Excellent degree in 1959. He also had excellent degree in a course of Air force Staff Officer in 1964.
He was excluded from the Armed Forces on the 2nd of December 1961 and transferred to a civil job after cessation from Egypt on September 28, 1961, due to his national stand against that separation. He was a main leader of the underground military committee (five members) that led the 8th of March revolution in 1963, initiating major contacts, both civil and military, that made the revolution a great success.
He occupied leading posts in both the Regional and National Command of the Baath Arab Socialist Party until he became General Secretary of the party and he played a major role in the success of the 23rd February Movement 1966, which put an end to the conflicts within the party.
He became Prime Minister, Minister of Defence on November 21st 1970 after leading the Correction Movement, which widely opened the party's doors to the Arab Masses. He was elected President of the Syrian Arab Republic in a referendum held on March 12, 1971.
On the May 14, 1971, the new Regional Command of the Baath Arab Socialist Party held its first meeting and elected President Hafez Al-Assad Regional Secretary of the Party. In the second half of August 1971 he was elected Secretary General of the Party during its Eleventh National Conference.
He participated in many Arab and international summit conferences, such as the Non-Allied Countries, the Islamic and Arab Summits where he had a remarkable say in the service of our national issues. Asad led the War of October 1973.
In 1976 Mr Assad had ordered Syrian troops into Lebanon, the vital buffer state between his country and Israel. Curbing Israel's power and influence was the central plank of his foreign policy.
Syria was accused of backing state terrorist acts including the 1985 hijacking of a TWA airliner in Lebanon. Assad also allowed many Palestinian terrorist organizations to establish bases in Damascus, and also sponsored a Syrian faction of the PLO.
An implacable foe of Israel, he refused to hold negotiations with the Jewish state until the historic 1991 Arab-Israeli summit in Madrid. Talks continued in limited bursts over the next decade
Syrian President Hafez al-Assad died in Damascus at the age of 69 on June 10, 2000. He was succeeded by his son Bashar.
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