5 Reasons Why Vasundhara Raje is Not Your Regular Politico

The Political sector in India has seen a paradigm shift with the Modi Government coming to power. You have netas who seem to be more open, tech-savvy and approachable. But one politician who has always aced the ‘cool quotient’ better than the rest is Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje.

History was etched when Raje came into power in Rajasthan after a dreary period of 5 years, replacing her opponent Ashok Gehlot through a massive win. Known as a ‘Maharani’ in her last tenure, perception of Vasundhara Raje got a complete round-about when she started, and successfully completed, her 14000 kms long Suraaj Sankalp Yatra before elections. A much-more approachable, friendly, eating-bajra-roti-in-the-fields Raje ensured not just an image makeover, but also addressed and experienced the real life challenges of the people by taking her yatra to the remotest corners of Rajasthan. The chiffons changed to Rajasthani Kota Doriya and leheriyas, the luxury cars changed to an uncomfortable bus (or rath as it was called). Some people believed it to be an eye-wash, but they were pleasantly surprised when Vasundhara Raje spent almost a year on the road and toured villages which no leader had approached since the independence of India.

People knew the change was real this time, and presented Raje with the biggest victory ever in Rajasthan. Raje didn’t disappoint them. She safeguarded their faith by starting off with a series of developments that made her stand out as a Chief Minister. Here are 5 of the many reasons that make Vasundhara Raje one of the coolest Chief Ministers of our times:

1. No Show-Sha:

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A quality so rare, it finds the first place in the list. Politicians in India these days are known for their photo-op sympathies and actions. Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje is known to be unfriendly or shy of media. But that’s not what it is. CM Raje has always acknowledged the importance of media in both governance and development. The reason why she does not run towards the camera everytime she sees it is because she believes in ‘value talk’. Every dialogue she has in front of the camera has to matter and make sense since it is her direct conversation with the people of the state. Often while touring remote villages in the districts under Aapka Zila Aapki Sarkar, the Rajasthan CM conducts surprise checks. She would just randomly, without her cavalcade, go to any government office, hospital, school etc and check its conditions, services and employees. She often fires ignorant officials on the spot! It is refreshing to see a seasoned politician not making an effort for useless photo ops, but actually giving more importance to development works at the grass-roots.

2. Dog lover:

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I believe people who love dogs are the best people! Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje is a less known, but passionate dog lover. It’s said that she has more than one dogs who enjoy her attention in her spare time. It’s not just the dogs she cares about. Looking at the plight of animals, particularly cows, the Vasundhara Raje government has made a separate cow ministry that looks after the welfare of cows in the State. Not only this, if reports are to be believed, the first lady Chief Minister of Rajasthan fusses over her dogs like they’re her kids. And that’s nice, and that’s just like us. It’s cool that my CM and I share the same love for dogs!

3. Tech-Savvy:

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Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje has more than 50 lakh fans on her official Facebook page (I have 50!). She is also addicted to Instagram and twitter and often sends out tweets with humor. It was the Chief Minister’s understanding of the need and importance of technology that lead to the digitization of all direct and indirect citizen benefits through a smart card under the Bhamashah scheme.

Read also: Rajasthan Revolutionizing Services Through Digitization

Chief Minister Raje often asks for reports on whatsapp and I suspect she is also a selfie-addict (again, like us!)

4. Art, Music, Wildlife, Literature & everything Nature-Lover:

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Yes, there is one person who is all this and more – our fab Chief Minister! Vasundhara Raje – the power woman – spends her spare time (if she gets any) looking after the plants in her gardens! CM Vasundhara Raje’s interest and love for art is just ideal for a state like Rajasthan which is almost like an open air museum. As soon as she came into power, Chief Raje took decisions for the much neglected and much taken-granted-for sector of tourism. She launched a series of renovation work for all the palaces and museums of the State. She also started revamping of the tourism department that had become more of a service sector than promotion driver. She personally got herself involved in a yearly activity calendar to encourage travelers from across the world – be it the Travel photography festival or the Sacred Pushkar festival; the exciting coke studio event or the Udaipur World Music Fesival – she included and catered to all needs, moods and fancies of a tourist. Best of all, she launched a multi-nodal, international and really, really hip tourism campaign for Rajasthan. On her directions, the government is also working on a bunch of tourism circuits (long weekend plans, anyone?) Ever work with your headphones on? Chief Minister of Rajasthan does the same! Reportedly, her official chambers are often engulfed with soothing music. Not only this, Raje is also a book worm. Her collection of books is something only dreamers (uhm, me.) can dream of!

5. Fashion and Feminism:

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The two things I admire the most in Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje. While her impeccable fashion sense – her mindblowing collection of sarees, stilettos and jewelry, keeps me enthused, her zeal to empower women without demeaning the role of women is even more inspiring. At a recent event, Vasundhara Raje was quoted saying, “Women are not competitors of men but are complementary on the path of development. Walking together both can bring change.” Huge. Respect.

We love the fact that Vasundhara Raje has defied all odds to become Chief Minister (that too two times) of a feudal state like Rajasthan. She has started making changes in the State that nobody ever cared about (Read about Mukhyamantri Jal Swavlamban Abhiyan and Bhamashah Yojna), she has attracted investment in an otherwise neglected state, she has pioneered skilling programs in the country to make our youth match industry requirements. Her reforms and laws are being talked about not just in the country but at the Global stage. There is so much she has done in such a short period of time given the adverse conditions and mismanaged finances she inherited from the previous government. Her zeal deserve our salute! May she keep driving Rajasthan towards the make-over it needs.

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