Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar

Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar (born 23 November 1959) is an Indian physician and politician from West Bengal. She is Chairperson of Banga Janani Bahini, a women's wing of All India Trinamool Congress. She is a member of 15th, 16th and 17th Lok Sabha, re-elected in 2014 Indian general election[3] and 2019. She is a Panel Chairperson of 17th Lok Sabha.

Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar
Deputy Leader of All India Trinamool Congress Parliamentary Party, Lok Sabha
Incumbent
Assumed office 2009
Leader	Sudip Bandyopadhyay
Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
Incumbent
Assumed office 16 May 2009
Preceded by	Subrata Bose
Constituency	Barasat
Personal details
Born	Kakali Moitra 23 November 1959
Political party	All India Trinamool Congress
Spouse(s)	Sudarshan Ghosh Dastidar
Children	2
Parents	Late Shri Ajit Moitra Smt. Ira Moitra
Residence	Uttarpara, Digberia, Madhyamgram, Barasat, West Bengal
Alma mater	R. G. Kar Medical College and Hospital King's College London
Profession	Physician
Website	www.winkakoli.com/
As of 17 September, 2009 Source: [[1][2]]

Early life

Kakoli Ghosh was born on 23 November 1959. Her family has had an intimate connection to West Bengal and Indian politics and government for three generations. Her maternal grandfather served as the postmaster general of West Bengal. Her paternal uncle, the late Arun Moitra, was a freedom fighter and a former Pradesh Congress President. Her maternal uncle, Gurudas Dasgupta, is a current sitting Member of the Indian Parliament.

Early in his career, Mr. Moitra built his family farm in Digberia of Barasat in North 24 Parganas District of West Bengal. Member of Parliament (MP) Ghosh grew up among the people of Barasat at her family's farm. As a child, the MP watched and learned while her father loved, supported, and inspired the people of Digberia. As a bright and forthcoming student, she fought against injustice and oppression. Her life and history has been further enriched by her husband, Sudarshan Ghosh Dastidar, who continues to be among the world's foremost experts in the field of fertility.[4] She married Sudarshan Ghosh Dastidar on 30 November 1982 and has two sons.[5]

Education

Kakoli Ghosh gained her medical degree from R. G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, which was then affiliated with the University of Calcutta. She also did a Post Graduate Training in Obstetric Ultrasound from King's College London.[5]

Career

She is now a member of the Committee on Home Affairs in the Lok Sabha (People's Chamber) of the Indian Parliament.[1]

Ghosh Dastidar grew up in a socio-political environment. Alongside having a family legacy of public service, the MP dedicated her life to serving the people of her community including providing health care for slum-dwelling citizens. She also helped implement a school and dispensary in South 24 Parganas for the children of trafficked women.

In 2009 Lok Sabha elections, she won from Barasat (Lok Sabha constituency) by a margin of 1,22,901 votes.[4][6][7] She had earlier lost the elections from Diamond Harbour (Lok Sabha constituency),[8] Howrah (Lok Sabha constituency)[9] and Ballyganj assembly constituency.[10]

Interests

Kakoli's favorite pastimes include listening to music, gardening and reading. She also enjoys swimming and playing tennis.[5]

Controversies

Park Street Rape Case

When protests and demonstrations were at the peak for justice in 2012 Delhi gang rape case Ghosh Dastidar made very baseless and insensitive allegations against the Park Street Gang Rape victim. She said that the 'incident at Park Street was not a rape at all'. While making claim that the Park Street case and Delhi case cannot be compared she described Park Street case as a 'misunderstanding between a lady and her client.' thereby suggesting that the victim is a sex worker.[11]

References

1. "Dr. Kakoli Ghosh". Lok Sabha Members – 15th Lok Sabha. Retrieved 17 September 2009.
2. "Detailed Profile: Dr. (Smt) Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar". Government of India. Retrieved 4 October 2010.
3. "Kakoli Ghosh -Political Profile".
4. "Kakoli Ghosh". Retrieved 12 August 2009.
5. "Biographical Sketch Member of Parliament 15th Lok Sabha". Retrieved 18 February 2014.
6. "Parliament Election - 2009 West Bengal" (PDF). List Of Winners And Runners-Up With Winning Margin. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 June 2009. Retrieved 12 August 2009.
7. "Detailed Profile: Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar". Retrieved 12 August 2009.
8. "17 - DIAMOND HARBOUR Parliamentary Constituency". Partywise Comparison Since 1977. Election Commission. Archived from the original on 10 April 2009. Retrieved 12 August 2009.
9. "24 – Howrah Parliamentary Constituency, West Bengal". Partywise Comparison since 1977. Election Commission of India. Retrieved 1 October 2010.
10. "152 - Ballygunge Assembly Constituency". Partywise comparison since 1977. Election Commission of India. Retrieved 17 September 2007.
11. "Now Trinamool MP says Park Street case not rape, denies".