Ms. ARTI MEHRA, a prime Indian politician, National Secretary of leading party of India and a three times consecutive Mayor of Delhi, she is an inspiring figure working steadfastly in creating a difference.
Arti Mehra, a politician by profession and a figure of motivation by nature, truly inspires individuals to work towards attaining their dreams. She is working hard to achieve the mission of women empowerment in India. Her fight against female foeticide, dowry, women’s reservation bill, domestic violence is ample witness of the initiatives taken under her guidance.
She was born on 12.12.1962 in a small town of Nangal in Punjab. She graduated in Political Science (Hon.) from esteemed college of Miranda House in University of Delhi. She did a Management Course in New York and exhibits mental stature of uncommon calibre.
Mrs. Arti Mehra, was elected unanimously to the august office of the Mayor of Delhi for the first time in the year 2007 -08 for 1 year period and was again elected enormously for the second year for the mayorship. Her popularity and mass base was truly exhibited in 2002 when she won MCD election despite serious adverse political scenario as well as in 2007, when she contested for the general seat; not from the seat of reserved women.
Ms. Arti Mehra has been active on international issues and has taken steps for world upbringing in recently. In Sept. 2007, she was invited by the Secretary General of UN to deliver keynote speech on Climate Change during the inaugural session of General Assembly at the UN Headquarters in New York. In the very same year, she was the main speaker at the UN Climate Change Conference held in Bali under UNFCCC. She was honored and invited by the D.G. of UNESCO in Paris recently for IYGE – Global Launch Event of the International Year of Planet Earth for inaugural speech. Also, she was an eminent speaker in World Women’s Conference at Brussels, LGA 2nd Sustainable Communities Conference at Liverpool, UK and World Mayors’ Conference held Jerusalem, Israel, Tehran, Iran, Bangkok, Thailand etc.
After she got relieved from the mayorship, newly elected President of the party Shri Nitin Gadkari Ji inducted her in the national executive committee as secretary to look after the affairs of Goa state independently. Also, she was nominated by the party in the governing body of “National Literacy Mission,” Government of India project with the Ministry of HRD. She has also been given responsibility to prepare vision document on women empowerment and child welfare.
One of the major projects taken up by her was “Women Power in Action” which focuses on strengthening the girl student by offering free scholarship, free books, self-defense training and inspires them to take measures for confidence building. Also, Senior Citizen women and widows are given pensions. Regular vocational programmes are also adopted to enhance self sufficiency and dignity of women in economic sphere of life. The formation of ‘Mahila Hatt’ in the heart of Delhi is another small step taken by the former Mayor towards achieving this aim.
As prime Indian politician, National Secretary of leading party of India and heading state of Goa, her holistic approach towards e-governance has made the system more transparent and more efficient for Municipal Corporation of Delhi, the second largest corporation of the world. The system was garnished by adding biometric devices, focusing on the accountability side.
With the gamut of knowledge on almost every subject and command over civic issues, Mrs. Mehra has impressed everyone as a dedicated and deeply concerned member of the MCD during the last 13 years. She consistently played an important part in decision making processes in the House, Standing Committee and various other Committees and Forums. She has always left a deep mark on social and political scene by virtue of her ability to boldly raise her voice against discrimination and injustice.
Discipline, dedication and commitment have been deeply ingrained in her personality from the young age of 18 when she became Vice-President of Delhi University as a candidate of Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad. She proved her worth as a young leader when she served Akhil Bhartiya Yuva Morcha as Secretary during 1993 to 1996. She effectively discharged responsibilities as a Member of BJP’s National Working Committee and as a Member of Women Social Welfare Association Institute.
The adventurous and dynamic nature of Mrs. Mehra found expression during youth when she zealously pursued horse-riding and flying. The same spirit of boldness finds expression today when she pursues developmental civic issues.