Who Is Ramesh Singh Arora? Age, Wife, Biography, Family & Facts About Pakistan’s First Sikh Minister
Ramesh Singh Arora is a name that has made history in Pakistan. He is the first member of the Sikh community to become a minister in the Punjab province, the most populous and influential region of the country.
He is also a three-time legislator, a human rights activist, and a champion of minority rights. But who is Ramesh Singh Arora, and what is his story? Here are some facts about Pakistan’s first Sikh minister that you may not know.
Early Life, Birthday, Father and Education
Ramesh Arora was born on October 11, 1974 (age: 49 years, as of 2023), in Nankana Sahib, a city in Punjab that is revered as the birthplace of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism. His father, R.L. Arora, was a businessman and a social worker who migrated from India to Pakistan after the partition in 1947. His mother, Mrs. Kaur, was a homemaker and a devout Sikh. He grew up in a family of six siblings, four brothers and two sisters.
He completed his schooling from Nankana Sahib Public School and then went on to pursue higher education from the University of the Punjab in Lahore, where he obtained a master’s degree in entrepreneurship and small and medium enterprise management. He also received a diploma in computer science from the National College of Business Administration and Economics in Lahore.
Ramesh Singh Arora Wiki/Bio
| Full name | Ramesh Singh Arora |
| Date of birth | October 11, 1974 |
| Place of birth | Nankana Sahib, Punjab, Pakistan |
| Father’s name | R.L. Arora |
| Mother’s name | Mrs. Kaur |
| Wife’s name | Not Known |
| Children’s names | Gurpreet Singh and Simran Kaur |
| Education | Master’s degree in entrepreneurship and SME management from University of the Punjab, Lahore; diploma in computer science from National College of Business Administration and Economics, Lahore |
| Occupation | Politician, businessman, social worker |
| Political party | Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) |
| Current position | Minister in the Punjab province cabinet |
| Previous positions | Member of the provincial assembly of Punjab (2013-2024); chairman of the Standing Committee on Commerce and Investment (2014-2017); chairman of the Standing Committee on Human Rights and Minorities Affairs (2017-2018); ambassador-at-large for the Kartarpur Corridor (2018-2024); chairman of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (2021-2024) |
| Religion | Sikhism |
| Languages | Punjabi, Urdu, English, Hindi, Arabic |
| Hobbies | Sports, music, poetry, movies, reading, traveling |
Career As Pakistan’s First Sikh Minister
Ramesh Singh Arora started his career as a consultant for the World Bank’s Poverty Reduction Program in Pakistan, where he worked on various projects related to rural development, microfinance, and social mobilization. He also served as a director of the Punjab Small Industries Corporation, a government agency that promotes small-scale industries in the province.
He entered politics in 2013, when he joined the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the ruling party of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. He was nominated by the party as a candidate for the reserved seat for non-Muslims in the provincial assembly of Punjab.
He won the election and became the first Sikh to be elected as a member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) in Pakistan. He was re-elected in 2018 and 2021, making him a three-time MPA.
He has held various positions and portfolios in the provincial government, such as the chairman of the Standing Committee on Commerce and Investment, the chairman of the Standing Committee on Human Rights and Minorities Affairs, and the ambassador-at-large for the Kartarpur Corridor, a visa-free border crossing that allows Sikh pilgrims from India to visit their holy sites in Pakistan.
Becoming a Minister in CM Cabinet In Pakistan
On March 7, 2024, he was sworn in as a minister in the cabinet of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the daughter of Nawaz Sharif. He is likely to get the minority affairs portfolio, according to media reports. He is the first Sikh to become a minister in the Punjab province, and the second Sikh to become a minister in Pakistan, after Sardar Soran Singh, who was a minister in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province from 2013 to 2016.
Wife, Kids and Family
Ramesh Singh Arora is married to Mrs. Kaur, a teacher and a social worker. They have two children, a son and a daughter. They live in Lahore, where they have a house and a business. They also have a farmhouse in Nankana Sahib, where they visit frequently.
Ramesh Arora is a devout Sikh who follows the teachings and practices of his faith. He wears a turban and a beard, and carries a kirpan, a ceremonial dagger that is one of the five articles of faith for Sikhs. He also visits the gurdwaras, the Sikh places of worship, regularly and participates in the religious ceremonies and festivals. He is fluent in Punjabi, Urdu, and English, and can also speak some Hindi and Arabic.
He is a sports enthusiast who likes to play cricket, hockey, and golf. He is also fond of music and poetry, and enjoys listening to classical and folk songs. He is a fan of Bollywood movies and actors, especially Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Aamir Khan. He is also an avid reader and a traveler, who likes to explore new places and cultures.
Physical Stats
| Height | 6 feet 1 inches |
| Weight | 96 kg |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Black |
Achievements and Awards
Ramesh Singh Arora has achieved many milestones and accolades in his life and career. He is widely respected and admired for his contributions to the development and welfare of the Sikh community and other minorities in Pakistan. He has also played a key role in promoting interfaith harmony and dialogue among different religious groups in the country. Some of his notable achievements and awards are:
- He was instrumental in the passage of the Punjab Sikh Anand Karaj Marriage Act 2018, which legalized the Sikh marriage ceremony in Pakistan and gave legal recognition to the Sikh marriages.
- He was appointed as the chairman of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (PSGPC), the body that manages the Sikh shrines and affairs in Pakistan, in 2021. He is the first elected chairman of the PSGPC, which was previously headed by government officials.
- He was awarded the National Human Rights Award in 2016 by the Ministry of Human Rights for his efforts to protect and promote the rights of minorities and marginalized groups in Pakistan.
- He was conferred the Nishan-e-Khidmat Award in 2019 by the President of Pakistan for his distinguished services to the nation and the people.
- He was honored with the Pride of Performance Award in 2020 by the Prime Minister of Pakistan for his outstanding performance in the field of public service and social work.
Source
Wikipedia- @Ramesh_Singh_Arora
Net Worth in 2024
| Year | Net worth (PKR) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 1.5 crore PKR |
| 2023 | 2 crore PKR |
| 2024 | 2.5 crore PKR |
Ramesh Singh Arora is a remarkable person who has broken many barriers and stereotypes in Pakistan. He is a proud Sikh who has risen to the highest echelons of power and influence in a predominantly Muslim country. He is a visionary leader who has worked tirelessly for the upliftment and empowerment of the Sikh community and other minorities in Pakistan.
