Who is Mohammad Hamid Ansari?
Mohammad Hamid Ansari (born 1 April 1937) is an Indian politician and retired diplomat who was the 12th vice president of India from 2007 to 2017.
Mohammad Hamid Ansari Biography, Wiki
Mohammad Hamid Ansari, (born April 1, 1937, Calcutta [now Kolkata], India), Indian diplomat, politician, educator, and writer who served as vice president of India (2007–17).
Ansari, who was born to a wealthy Muslim family, completed B.A. and M.A. degrees in political science from Aligarh Muslim University in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh.
In 1961 he entered the Indian Foreign Service, where he served for nearly four decades. After postings to several countries over some 15 years (Iraq, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, and Belgium), Ansari was named ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (1976–79).
He also served as ambassador to Afghanistan (1989–90), Iran (1990–92), and Saudi Arabia (1995–99), as well as high commissioner to Australia (1985–89) and permanent representative to the United Nations (1993–95). In between those foreign postings, he was the chief of protocol for the Indian government from 1980–85.
| Born | 1 April 1937 (age 85) Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian |
| Political party | Independent |
| Spouse(s) | Salma Ansari |
| Children | 1 daughter 2 sons |
| Alma mater | University of Calcutta Aligarh Muslim University |
Mohammad Hamid Ansari Career
Hamid Ansari joined the Indian Foreign Service as a diplomat in 1961. In a diplomatic career spanning almost four decades, he served as ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (1976-79), Afghanistan (1989-90), Iran (1990-92) and Saudi Arabia (1995-99).
He also served as high commissioner to Australia from 1985 to 1989 and permanent representative to the United Nations from 1993 to 1995.
After retiring from foreign service, Ansari served in various academic positions. He was professor and vice chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University as well as visiting professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University and Jamia Millia Islamia.
He also worked for a private research group and various government committees. Hamid Ansari became the chairman of the National Commission for Minorities in 2006.
He, however, resigned from this position one year later after the Congress party selected him as its candidate for the vice-presidential elections.
Ansari won the 2007 vice-presidential elections by defeating his nearest rival, Najma Heptullah of BJP, with a margin of 233 votes. He was re-elected for another term of five years in 2012, this time defeating the BJP nominee Jaswant Singh by 252 votes.
Mohammad Hamid Ansari Controversy
Hamid Ansari’s tenure in office has been largely uncontroversial. On certain occasions, though, he has aired strong views in the public domain. In 2006, while serving as chairman of the National Commission for Minorities, he criticised comments made by Pope Benedict XVI as anti-Islamic.
In 2005, Ansari questioned the Indian government’s decision to vote against Iran’s nuclear program in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Mohammad Hamid Ansari FAQ’s
Who is Mohammad Hamid Ansari?
Mohammad Hamid Ansari (born 1 April 1937) is an Indian politician and retired diplomat who was the 12th vice president of India from 2007 to 2017.
How old is Mohammad Hamid Ansari?
Mohammad Hamid Ansari is currently 85 years old.
Who is Mohammad Hamid Ansari’s wife?
Salma Ansari.
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