A.K. ANTONY
A.K. Antony, also known as Antony Kurian was born on December 28th, 1940 in Cherthala, Alappuzha district, Kerala. He is an Indian politician and a senior leader of the Indian National Congress party.
Early Life and Education:
Antony did his schooling and college education in Kerala. He completed his B.A. in English Literature from Maharaja’s College in Ernakulam, Kerala. Later, he pursued his LLB from the Government Law College in Ernakulam, Kerala. During his college days, Antony was an active member of the student union and participated in several protests against the government.
Political Career:
Antony’s political career began in the 1970s when he became a member of the Kerala Legislative Assembly representing the segment of Mavelikara. During his tenure, he served as the Minister for Labour and also as the Minister for Home Affairs. In 1985, Antony was elected to the Lok Sabha from the Idukki constituency in Kerala. He continued to represent the Idukki constituency for six consecutive terms, until 2014.
In 1991, Antony was appointed as the Chief Minister of Kerala. During his tenure as Chief Minister, he implemented several measures for the welfare of the common people of Kerala. He is credited with the establishment of the Kerala State Transport Corporation (KSRTC) which significantly improved the public transport system in the state.
Antony also served as the Defence Minister of India from 2006 to 2014, making him one of the longest-serving Defence Ministers of India. During his tenure as Defence Minister, he worked towards modernising the Indian Defence Forces and increasing the country’s military capabilities.
In 2014, Antony announced his retirement from electoral politics and stepped down as the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha. However, he continues to remain an active member of the Indian National Congress party and has been serving as its Chairman since 2015.
Honours and Awards:
Antony has received several honours and awards for his contribution to politics and public service. In 2019, he was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award, by the Government of India.
Personal Life:
Antony is married to Elizabeth Antony and the couple has two children, Anil and Ajith. His son, Anil Antony is also a politician and a member of the Indian National Congress party. Antony is known for his simple lifestyle and his immense contribution to the betterment of society.
A.K. Antony, also known as Antony Kurian was born on December 28th, 1940, in Cherthala, Alappuzha district, Kerala, to the late Mr. Kurian and Mrs. Aleyamma Kurian. His family belonged to a Christian community in Kerala.
Antony’s father was a farmer and it was his hard work and dedication that inspired Antony to work hard towards achieving his goals. Antony grew up with his siblings in a joint family system, where everyone contributed to the family’s daily tasks and shared the responsibilities.
Antony got married to Elizabeth Antony in 1965 and the couple has two children, a son named Anil Antony and a daughter named Ajitha Antony. Both of his children are actively involved in politics and are members of the Indian National Congress party.
Anil Antony has a degree in law and has been involved in several social and educational initiatives. He is a member of the Indian National Congress party and has contested in the Kerala legislative assembly elections several times. Ajitha Antony is a doctor by profession and is actively involved in social service.
Antony is known for his simplicity and his humble background. Despite being a senior leader of the Congress party, he maintains a down-to-earth attitude and is respected by people from all walks of life.
TRAGEDY
One of the most tragic incidents in A.K. Antony’s life was the sudden and untimely death of his son, Anil Antony in 2000. Anil, aged 37 at the time, passed away due to a heart attack while he was traveling on a train from Delhi to Kerala.
The death of his son came as a huge shock to the family and friends of AK Antony. Anil was an up-and-coming politician in the Congress party and had a promising political career ahead of him. His sudden demise left a void in Antony’s life and in the political circles of Kerala.
Antony, who was serving as the Chief Minister of Kerala at the time, was deeply affected by his son’s demise, but he continued to carry on with his responsibilities as the Chief Minister. He took the decision to donate his son’s organs, which saved the lives of several people in need of organ transplants.
Despite the tragedy, Antony continued to serve the people of Kerala and India with the same dedication and spirit. He received support and condolences from people from all walks of life, who admired his strength and resilience in the face of such a terrible loss.