* Meenakshi Natarajan exudes simplicity and substance

* A rare quality in this day and age, she stands as a beacon of hope

Rise of Meenakshi Natarajan

■ A close confidante of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Meenakshi Natarajan started her political career with NSUI in Madhya Pradesh.

■ The Central leadership saw a spark in her and made her AICC general secretary in 2008

■ In the 2009 general elections, the Congress fielded her from Mandasaur, where she humbled seasoned politician and entered the Lok Sabha. However, she lost the 2014 and 2019 elections in a row from the same constituency.

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In a world where politics has become synonymous with power, wealth, and corruption, Meenakshi Natarajan stands out. This unassuming politician from Madhya Pradesh has taken the Telangana State Congress by storm with her simplicity, honesty, and commitment to high thinking.

Meenakshi's story is a fine example of ‘simple living and high thinking’, a philosophy espoused by Mahatma Gandhi. In an era where politicians are often seen as power-hungry and corrupt, Meenakshi's down-to-earth nature and extraordinary degree of simplicity has surprised and shocked many Congress leaders.

Her arrival in Hyderabad, traveling by train and carrying her own luggage, was a far cry from the pomp and show that often associated with politicians. This was not a one-time gesture; Meenakshi has consistently demonstrated her commitment to simplicity and humility.

As a politician, Meenakshi has shown that she is not afraid to speak her mind and stand up for what she believes in. Her criticism of her own government in Telangana for not allowing activist Medha Patkar to visit the Musi River Beautification project victims is a case in point. In Meenakshi's words, "In a democracy, every person has a right to question people's problems," echo the principles of transparency and accountability that are essential to a healthy democracy.

Meenakshi's background is equally impressive. A postgraduate in Biochemistry and a degree in Law, she has a strong academic foundation. Her experience as a politician is equally impressive, having served as a Member of Parliament from Mandsaur and as the President of the Madhya Pradesh Youth Congress. Meenakshi in a recent interview spoke about her vision for politics. "I believe that politics should be a mission, not a profession.”  "We should be driven by a desire to serve the people, not to accumulate power and wealth.”

Meenakshi's commitment to simplicity and humility is not limited to her personal life. She has also been a vocal advocate for transparency and accountability in government. In an interview with The Indian Express, she spoke about the need for greater transparency in government decision-making. "We need to make sure that the government is accountable to the people," she said. "We need to make sure that the people have a say in how their money is being spent."

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