What were you doing, or plan to be doing, at the age of 21…? A second-year college-student in Kerala, Arya Rajendran, has not only contested in the recent civic polls at the young age of 21, but has also now been sworn-in as Mayor. Appointed the Mayor of Kerala’s capital Thiruvananthapuram, she is the youngest person ever to have occupied this position in the country.
The history-making young woman was elected as mayor of Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation on Monday.
Arya Rajendran Is Familiar With Politics And Serving In Leadership Positions
Rajendran became associated with the Communist Party of India (Marxist) when she joined the party’s affiliated children’s collective, Balasangham, when she was just in the 5th grade.
By the age of 21, she was serving as Balasangham’s state president. She is also an activist with the Students Federation of India.
Earlier during the elections, The Left Democratic Front declared Arya as their Mayor candidate. The election results declared on December 16th showed that the Left Democratic Front won the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation – sweeping 51 out of the city’s 100 wards.
There Has Been An Outpouring Of Support From The People And The Political Leaders
Arya says she is hugely inspired by Kerala’s Health Minister K K Shailaja, and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
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She has also been overwhelmed by the support and praise she has received from the public, and from fellow party leaders. From actors Mohanlal, Adani group founder Gautam Adani, to Thiruvananthapuram MP and Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, several renowned people have congratulated Rajendran.
Tharoor while congratulating the newly-elected Rajendran’s accomplishment in his tweet, asserted, “Time for a representative of the 51% of India’s population that’s under 25 to lead!”
Rajendran told ANI she intends to call Tharoor and thank him for his support.
Even the Sri Lankan Youth Affairs Minister Namal Rajapaksa, extended his congratulations on Twitter. “No doubt your success story will pave the way and inspire more youngsters, particularly women, to follow your path,” he concluded his tweet.
Rajendran Intends To Use Her New Platform To Empower Women And The Youth
Expressing her gratitude and determination to use the support for good in the future, Rajendran told ANI, “Many leaders belonging to various parties extended their support including BJP and Congress. I didn’t expect such an overwhelming response. I am thankful to them all and I will be a Mayor working for the welfare of all people.”
Her main areas of focus as Mayor, she says, will be youth and women empowerment. “As a youngster, I have raised slogans for creating jobs for youngsters. Creation of jobs and promoting entrepreneurship among youths and women will be key areas. Also, welfare measures will be given due importance,” she said.
Not one to turn away from a challenge or opportunity to grow, Rajendran says she intends to continue her studies along with her new mayoral duties.
Nelson Mandela once infamously said that the youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow. Powerhouses like Arya Rajendran prove that the youth of today can be the leaders of today as well – harbouring a brighter and better tomorrow!
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