Vijay Darda Age, Wiki and Bio

Vijay Darda

Quick Info

ProfessionPolitician, Journalist, Businessman, Author, Philanthropist
NationalityIndian
Date of Birth14/05/1950
Age74 years
BirthplaceYavatmal, Bombay (now Mumbai), Maharashtra, India

Bio/Wiki

Full name(s)
  • Vijay Jawaharlal Darda
  • Vijay J. Darda

Physical Stats & More

Height168 cm (5' 6'')
Weight70 kg (154 lbs)
Eye ColorBlack
Hair ColorBlack

Educational Qualification(s)

SchoolGovernment Multipurpose High School, Yavatmal
College/University
  • Harvard University, Massachusetts
  • Bhavan's College, affiliated with Mumbai University
Degree(s)
  • Diploma in Journalism and Printing Technology (1970) from Bhavan's College
  • Bachelor's degree in Arts from Harvard University

Personal Life

Date of Birth14/05/1950
BirthplaceYavatmal, Bombay (now Mumbai), Maharashtra, India
Zodiac signTaurus
ReligionJainism
Caste/SectShwetambar
Hobbies
  • Singing
  • Dancing
  • Playing musical instruments
  • Poetry
  • Playing cricket
  • Playing football
  • Cycling

Relationships & More

Marital StatusWidower
Marriage Date16/02/1971
Family
Wife/SpouseJyotsna Darda (Died on 23/03/2013 due to cancer)
Children
SonDevendra Darda (Businessman)
DaughterPurva Darda Kothari
Parents
FatherJawaharlal Darda (Freedom fighter, Maharashtra cabinet minister of Energy and Industry, and founder of Lokmat publications; died on 25/11/1997)
MotherVeenadevi Darda
Siblings
BrotherRajendra Darda (MLA from Aurangabad East Assembly from 1998 to 2013 and Maharashtra cabinet minister of Education and Industry)
SisterNone
Other Relatives
Daughter-in-lawRachana Darda
Son-in-lawSunit Kothari
GrandsonAryaman Darda

Career

Politics
Political PartyIndian National Congress (INC)
Political Journey
  • 1998: Became a Rajya Sabha member for the first time as an independent candidate.
  • 2004: Re-elected as a Rajya Sabha member.
  • 2010: Re-elected as a Rajya Sabha member again.
Bills Presented
  • 23/12/2005: The Electronic Waste (Handling and Disposal) Bill
  • 23/12/2005: The National Commission for Hygienic Food, Packed Drinks and Water Bill
  • 03/03/2006: The Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2006 (To amend articles 105 and 194)
  • 03/03/2006: The Whistle Blowers (Protection in Public Interest Disclosures) Bill
  • 14/03/2006: The Pathological Laboratories and Clinics (Regulation and Control) Bill
  • 28/07/2006: The Commissions for Protection of Child Rights (Amendment) Bill
  • 28/07/2006: The Rajya Sabha Secretariat (Administration) Bill
  • 28/07/2006: The Tele-Shopping (Protection of Consumer’s Rights) Bill
  • 08/12/2006: The Mobile Camera Phone Users (Code of Conduct) Bill
  • 08/12/2006: The Children School Bags (Limitation on Weight) Bill
  • 08/12/2006: The Personal Data Protection Bill
  • 27/04/2007: The Consumer Goods Price Fixation Board Bill
  • 27/04/2007: The Prevention of Atrocities on Women Bill
  • 27/04/2007: The Compulsory Registration of Marriages Bill
  • 24/08/2007: The Supreme Court (Establishment of a Permanent Bench at Nagpur) Bill
  • 24/08/2007: The Information Technology and Infotainment Facilities in Villages Bill
  • 24/08/2007: The Divorced Women (Protection and Welfare) Bill
  • 31/07/2009: The Compulsory Medical Preparedness in Schools Bill
  • 31/07/2009: The White Asbestos (Ban on Use and Import) Bill
  • 19/12/2008: The Special Courts for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Bill
  • 19/12/2008: The Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill
  • 19/12/2008: The Gymnasiums and Fitness Centres (Regulation) Bill
  • 11/05/2012: The Prevention of Atrocities on Women Bill
  • 11/05/2012: The Pathological Laboratories and Clinics (Regulation and Control) Bill
  • 28/11/2014: The White Asbestos (Ban on Use and Import) Bill
  • 28/11/2014: The Supreme Court (Establishment of a Permanent Bench at Nagpur) Bill
  • 28/11/2014: The Personal Data Protection Bill
  • 04/12/2015: The Gymnasiums and Fitness Centres (Regulation) Bill
  • 04/12/2015: The Electronic Waste (Handling and Disposal) Bill
  • 04/12/2015: The Consumer Goods Price Fixation Board Bill
  • 29/04/2016: The Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill
  • 29/04/2016: The Prevention of Atrocities on Women Bill

Style Quotient

Car CollectionTata Nano

Some Lesser Known Facts

Vijay Darda is a multi-faceted individual known for his roles in politics, business, journalism, literature, and philanthropy.
He held the position of chairman at Lokmat Media Group.
Over the years, he served as a member of the Rajya Sabha on three occasions.
Apart from his professional engagements, he has dedicated his efforts to various social welfare initiatives.
In July 2023, he was convicted of involvement in corruption related to the Coalgate scam, resulting in a four-year prison sentence.
Initially starting in the press field after completing his education, he later transitioned into a political career.
In 1971, he took charge of the Marathi newspaper Lokmat and later expanded into Lokmat English and Lokmat Hindi newspapers.
He held significant positions as the President of the Indian Newspaper Society (INS) and Chairman of the Audit Bureau of Circulation (ABC).
In 1999, he established the South Asian Editors Forum (SAEF) to enhance media-driven peace efforts between India and Pakistan.
Notably, he advocated for the removal of anti-dumping duty on newsprint and secured lower electricity rates for newspaper enterprises.
For his noteworthy contributions, he has received multiple awards and accolades in journalism and other sectors.
He is also credited with authoring several books spanning a variety of subjects.
Demonstrating a commitment to social causes, he has been actively involved in philanthropic work.
As part of the Parliamentary Ideal Village Development Program, he has undertaken the development of Bhari village in Yavatmal district.
Showing a passion for wildlife, he actively pursues interests in wildlife and wildlife photography.