Kirit Somaiya – a politician and a gentleman

Known as a Politician with a Difference, Kirit Somaiya, a true Mumbaikar to the core was born and brought up in Mumbai. Working tirelessly for the interest of Mumbai, has is fondly called “Aapla Manus”.

A Chartered account by profession, Kirit Somaiya is known as “Man of Finance”. He passed C.A. Examination in 1979, figuring in the first 50 in the All India Merit List. He has been conferred the Doctorate by Mumbai University in March 2005 for hi research “Finance – Capital Market – Small Investors Protection”. He submitted one of the longest thesis of 1202 pages, submitted in Two Volumes.

A Man of Action, Kirit has been active in various segment of socio-political life, on the issues and problem of Mumbai, fighting for Small Investors, active in health awareness. He is the founder President of Investors’ Grievances Forum, an organization having ISO 9001-2000, which gave birth to Small Investors’ Protection movement.

His Yuvak Pratishthan, a 25 years old NGO, has been doing commendable work in Slum welfare, Health, TB and AIDS control programmes. The Yuvak Pratishthan also got ISO 9001-2000 in the year 2005.

As a Parliamentarian, he represented Mumbai North East Constituency in 13th Lok Sabha during 1999 - 2004. He holds a record having submitted the maximum number of petitions to Parliament i.e. 11 (out of 27 total petitions presented in 13th Lok Sabha) during his tenure in Lok Sabha. This is the highest number of petitions submitted by any MP in the history of Indian Parliament. He has also submitted more than 500 questions in Parliament during his tenure in the 13th Lok Sabha.

As an MLA, he represented Mulund during 1995 – 1999 during which period he was also the President of BJP’s Mumbai unit.

Record after Record

On the socio-political front, Mr. Somaiya’s NGO, Yuvak Pratishthan has created a world record with 32 lakhs Hepatitis “B” Vaccination for children at the rate of Rs.25/- only. His famous campaign “Hepatitis “B” Free Mumbai” is widely acknowledged by the Society / Authorities.

Kirit is known as person who pioneered the Small Investors Protection movement in Mumbai, India.

The Investor Grievances Forum (IGF) set up by Kirit Somaiya in 1993-94 has successfully campaigned against various fraudulent activities in the capital market. It has been continuously agitating and making representations to regulatory authorities and the government, to improve the financial systems to benefit small investors. Post-election, he would further take up the issue of protection to small investors more vigorously so that the Capital Market remains healthy and wealthy.

Taking up cudgels on behalf of the common man, Kirit is keen to focus on the issue of affordable housing with a loan at 5-10 %, sustainability of economy and infrastructure development. He has nurtured the constituency very well during the past five years, having established contact with practically every voter through various means like his website, letters and even personal contacts.

Having completed the first phase of cleaning up of the Mithi river, he plans to ensure that the project would be completed by 2012 with adequate fund allocation from both Centre and the State.

Kirit had delivered Speeches at renowned Institutes of Management like Indira Institute of Management, Pune and ICFAI, Mumbai and made a Presentation at the University of Pune’s Department of Management Sciences.

Kirit was motivated and encouraged by his mother during his childhood to serve the country through politics. He decided to enter into politics and concentrate on finance and economic issues when he was in Std. 7. As student Activist, he was jailed during Jaiprakash Narayan’s Movement and Emergency in 1975.

He hails from a middle class family. He is married to Prof. Dr. Medha, and their son Neil, is an SSC student.

Dr. Medha Somaiya is also socio-political activist. A Professor of Chemistry in Ruia College, She has been conferred Doctorate – PhD in “Slum Rehabilitation” by Mumbai University in the year 2004.

The “Somaiya” couple is a unique couple of Mumbai, well educated, dedicated, both have acquired Doctorates in their forties on socio-economic subjects touching the life of Common Man.

Truly Kirit is a Man of Action, Man of Mumbai, Man of Finance, “Aapla Manus”, a Politician with a Difference.