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← Older revision		Revision as of 22:00, 7 January 2022
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	\| successor = Incumbent		\| successor = Incumbent
	\| birth_name = Arvind Kumar Sharma		\| birth_name = Arvind Kumar Sharma
	\| birth_date = 11 July 1962		\| birth_date = {{birth date and age\|df=y\|11 July 1962}}
	\| birth_place = ~~Village-Kajha Khurd, District-~~[[Mau~~, Uttar Pradesh~~\|Mau Uttar Pradesh]]		\| birth_place = [[Mau District\|Mau]], [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[India]]
	\| mother = Shrimati Sharma		\| mother = Shrimati Sharma
	\| father = Shri Shivmurti Sharma		\| father = Shri Shivmurti Sharma

164.100.26.25 at 08:56, 2 December 2021

2021-12-02T08:56:17Z

New page

{{Short description|Indian politicians}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = A K Sharma
| image = File:AK sharma BJP.jpg
| caption =
| office = [[Vice president|Vice President]] of [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]] [[Uttar Pradesh]]
| term_start = 19 June 2021
| term_end = Incumbent
| office1 = [[Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council|Member of Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council]]
| term_start1 = 31 Jan 2021
| term_end1 = Incumbent
| constituency = [[Mau district|Mau]]
| office2 = [[Indian Administrative Service|IAS]]
| term_start2 = 01/08/1989
| term_end2 = 11/01/2021
| predecessor =
| successor = Incumbent
| birth_name = Arvind Kumar Sharma
| birth_date = 11 July 1962
| birth_place = Village-Kajha Khurd, District-[[Mau, Uttar Pradesh|Mau Uttar Pradesh]]
| mother = Shrimati Sharma
| father = Shri Shivmurti Sharma
| spouse = Kiran Sharma
| children = Chitra Sharma, Abhinav Sharma
| party = [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]
| otherparty =
| residence = Village-Kajha Khurd, District-[[Mau, Uttar Pradesh]]
| alma_mater =
| profession = [[Indian Administrative Service]] [[Politician]]
| education =
| website = {{url|aksharmabharat.in|Official website}} <br> {{url|tej.net.in|TEJ Grievance Portal by A K Sharma}}
| footnotes =
| Parent(s) =
}}
'''Arvind Kumar Sharma''' or '''A K Sharma''' (born 11 July 1962) is an Indian politician from [[Uttar Pradesh]], Former IAS officer and Bureaucrat. He is currently the State Vice President of [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] in [[Uttar Pradesh]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hindustan|first=Times|title=BJP appoints former IAS officer AK Sharma as vice president of Uttar Pradesh unit|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/lucknow-news/bjp-appoints-former-ias-officer-ak-sharma-as-vice-president-of-uttar-pradesh-unit-101624101917359.html|url-status=live|access-date=19 June 2021|website=HindustanTimes.com}}</ref> Before joining politics, Sharma was an [[Indian Administrative Service]] officer from [[Gujarat]] Cadre of the 1988 batch.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Why A K Sharma is not just another Gujarat bureaucrat in the PM’s circle or just another vice-president in Uttar Pradesh BJP|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/a-k-sharma-gujarat-bureaucrat-pms-circle-uttar-pradesh-bjp-7377472/|access-date=2021-06-29|website= Indian Express}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Not end of road for Modi’s trusted IAS officer who took VRS, he could play bigger role in govt|url=https://theprint.in/india/governance/not-end-of-road-for-modis-trusted-ias-officer-who-took-vrs-he-could-play-bigger-role-in-govt/584314/|access-date=2021-06-29|website= The Wire}}</ref>
Sharma is considered a close aide of Hon’ble [[Prime Minister of India]] Shri [[Narendra Modi]] with whom he had worked for 20 years. He was also CEO, Gujarat Infrastructure Development Board and has also managed multiple [[Vibrant Gujarat]] summits. He joined the [[Prime Minister's Office (India)|Prime Minister's Office]] as a Joint Secretary in 2014 and was elevated to the Additional Secretary rank in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|title=New BJP member Arvind Sharma is part of Modi’s Mission 2022 in UP|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/new-bjp-member-arvind-sharma-is-part-of-modi-s-mission-2022-in-up-1759993-2021-01-17|access-date=2021-06-29|website= India Today}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=PM Modi's Trusted Officer Of 20 Years Joins BJP, May Get Big UP Role|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/arvind-kumar-sharma-pm-modis-trusted-officer-of-20-years-joins-bjp-may-get-big-up-role-2352377|access-date=2021-06-29|website= NDTV}}</ref>
In 2019, he moved out of the PMO to become a secretary in the [[Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises]] but took voluntary retirement in January 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Gujarat cadre IAS officer Arvind Kumar Sharma may be made minister in Yogi govt
|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/lucknow-news/gujarat-cadre-ias-officer-arvind-kumar-sharma-may-be-made-minister-in-yogi-govt-101610695502344.html|access-date=2021-06-29|website= Hundustan Times}}</ref>

== Early life and education ==
AK Sharma was born in Uttar Pradesh’s Mau district in 1962 to Shri Shivmurti Sharma and Shrimati Sharma. He completed schooling from his home district before graduating from [[University of Allahabad|Allahabad University]]. He pursued a master's degree in political science before joining the civil services.<ref name="MoneyControl">{{Cite web|author=GULAM JEELANI|title=Who is AK Sharma, ex- bureaucrat who retired to join BJP in Uttar Pradesh
|url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/politics/who-is-ak-sharma-ex-bureaucrat-who-retired-to-join-bjp-in-uttar-pradesh-6350581.html|access-date=2021-01-15|website= Money Control}}</ref>
<ref name="navbharattimes">{{Cite web|author=Shashi Mishra|title=Gujarat Cadre IAS Arvind Kumar Sharma Know all about him
|url=https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/metro/lucknow/politics/gujarat-cadre-ias-arvind-kumar-sharma-who-may-join-politcs-in-uttar-pradesh-know-all-about-him/articleshow/80245090.cms|access-date=2021-01-13|website= Navbharat Times}}</ref>

== Work in Gujarat ==
In 1988, Sharma became a civil servant and started his career as an IAS officer with the [[Gujarat]] cadre. His first posting was as a Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM). In 1995, he took charge as the District Magistrate of Mehsana.<ref name="NEWS18">{{Cite web|author=NEWS18.COM|title=From Gujarat CMO to PMO: How IAS Officer AK Sharma Became 'Modi's Man'
|url=https://www.news18.com/news/politics/from-gujarat-cmo-to-pmo-how-ias-officer-ak-sharma-became-modis-man-3867512.html|access-date= 2021-06-19|website= News 18}}</ref> After Narendra Modi came to power in Gujarat in 2001, Sharma joined the Chief Minister’s Office as a Secretary and remained there till 2014 before shifting to the Centre.<ref name="FreepressJournal">{{Cite web|author=FreepressJournal |title=Who is AK Sharma? All you need to know about
|url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/who-is-ak-sharma-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-newly-appointed-vice-president-of-up-bjp|access-date= 2021-06-19|website= FreepressJournal}}</ref> Sharma worked in the [[Government of Gujarat]] for a long duration in various positions including District Development Officer in Vadodara, Managing Director of Industrial Extension Bureau, and the CEO of Gujarat Infrastructure Development Board (GIDB).<ref name="theprint">{{Cite web|author=theprint.com|title=Modi’s key man in Gujarat
|url=https://theprint.in/india/governance/not-end-of-road-for-modis-trusted-ias-officer-who-took-vrs-he-could-play-bigger-role-in-govt/584314/|access-date= 2021-01-13|website= theprint}}</ref> His contribution in setting up the Gujarat section of the dedicated freight corridor and Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor as well as Dholera special investment region was noted by the media and the government alike.<ref name="Times of india">{{Cite web|author=Rajiv Shah|title=Demand for scarce Narmada waters for Dholera special investm A K Sharma|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/demand-for-scarce-narmada-waters-for-dholera-special-investment-region/articleshow/17879105.cms|access-date= 2013-01-04|website= Times of India}}</ref> Known for being a low-profile officer and a doer, Sharma is said to have coordinated the ‘Vibrant Gujarat’ Summit, a biennial investor summit that played a significant role in bringing in foreign investment to Gujarat. He is also said to have played a key role in getting the Tata Nano plant moved from Singur in West Bengal to Sanand in Gujarat in 2008. His work made him one of the closest aides of Modi.<ref name="Business Standard">{{Cite web|author=Nivedita Mookerji & Premal Balan |title=Vibrant Gujarat man is India Inc's PMO pointsman
|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/vibrant-gujarat-man-is-india-inc-s-pmo-pointsman-114071700132_1.html|access-date= 2014-07-17|website= Business Standard}}</ref>

== Work in PMO ==
A K Sharma remained as Secretary in Chief Minister’s Office till 2014 when Shri [[Narendra Modi]] ji became the Prime Minister. He then joined the PMO as a Joint Secretary in 2014 and was elevated to the Additional Secretary rank in 2017.<ref name="The Hindu">{{Cite web|author=Rahi Gaikwad |title=2 bureaucrats from Gujarat move to PMO
|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/2-bureaucrats-from-gujarat-move-to-pmo/article6070498.ece|access-date= 2014-05-31|website= The Hindu}}</ref> After his long stint in the [[Prime Minister's Office (India)|PMO]], Sharma was entrusted with the charge of [[Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises|micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME)]] ministry.<ref name="business standard">{{Cite web|author=business standard |title=A K Sharma takes charge as MSME Secretary
|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/a-k-sharma-takes-charge-as-msme-secretary-120050101247_1.html|access-date= 2014-05-01|website= business standard}}</ref>
[[File:A-K-sharma-with-Saudi-prince.jpg|thumb|A K Sharma ji with Narendra Modi Ji and Saudi Prince]]
[[File:A-K-sharma-with-pm.jpg|thumb|A K Sharma ji with PM Narendra Modi Ji]]

== Voluntary Retirement and entry into politics ==

A. K. Sharma sought retirement in January 2021 from civil services, 18 months before his due retirement. A few days after his voluntary retirement, Sharma joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Uttar Pradesh.<ref name="Outlook India">{{Cite web|author=Outlook India|title=Gujarat cadre IAS officer joins BJP after taking VRS
|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/up-gujarat-cadre-ias-officer-joins-bjp-after-taking-vrs/2010354|access-date= 2021-01-14|website= Outlook India}}</ref>
He gained media attention for his Covid-19 relief work in the state at a time when the daily numbers of cases and deaths were increasing rapidly.
Uttar Pradesh was severely affected in the second wave of Corona. New cases are still coming, but their numbers are decreasing. The noise of the outcry due to the virus has reduced slightly, but the situation is still to be improved upon. Amid this noise, a name is sometimes heard lightly and sometimes clearly, and the name is of Arvind Kumar Sharma, who has been working to elevate Varanasi in this challenging time.<ref name="Economic Times">{{Cite web|author=Kumar Anshuman|title=Ex IAS officer and BJP MLC AK Sharma steps in to control worsening Varanasi pandemic
|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/ak-sharma-steps-in-to-control-worsening-varanasi-pandemic/articleshow/82072350.cms|access-date= 2021-04-15|website= Economic Times}}</ref>
He is the person who helped Varanasi cut Covid cases from 1,000+ to under 300. He was also praised and rewarded by Hon’ble PM Modi for his commendable work in the district. At the same time, Sharma offered 53,000 medical kits and other aid to manage CSR funds. He also supported other functionaries of BJP to help the state fight COVID battle. In the time of oxygen crisis in the country, he helped authorities to disseminate alternative medicine in the most affected areas.<ref name="Times of India">{{Cite web|author=Pankaj Shah |title=PM Narendra Modi’s aide at helm of relief operations in East
|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/pms-aide-at-helm-of-relief-ops-in-east-up/articleshow/82814202.cms|access-date= 2021-05-21|website= Times of India}}</ref>
If we see Sharma's tweets, we can understand that he was actively circulating leads, helping people arrange the required resources. Presently, along with his official role, he is working to enhance medical facilities in Varanasi and Mau. He is seen to be the brainchild behind the famous ''''Kashi COVID response center''''.<ref name="PIB">{{Cite web|author=Pib |title=PM Narendra Modi Kashi COVID response center
|url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1712536|access-date= 2021-04-18|website= pib.gov.in}}</ref><ref name="Live mint">{{Cite web|author=Neetu Chandra Sharma |title=PM takes stock of Varanasi infections as caseload continues to climb
|url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/pm-takes-stock-of-varanasi-infections-as-caseload-continues-to-climb-11618743810126.html|access-date= 2021-04-18|website= Live mint}}</ref>

He also worked with party functionaries with providing the major inputs on mobilizing oxygen as well as medicines in worst-hit areas.
After 20-years of active politics, Sharma has received praise from PM Modi and a more significant responsibility.<ref name="timesofindia">{{Cite web|author=timesofindia |title=Prime Minister Narendra Modi praises Kashi model to curb Covid
|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/varanasi/prime-minister-narendra-modi-praises-kashi-model-to-curb-covid/articleshow/82787526.cms|access-date= 2021-05-20|website= timesofindia}}</ref> The largest state, Uttar Pradesh, is expecting an assembly election next year. With this, appointing Sharma as Vice-President of the State unit is not less than a question of life and death.

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{Bharatiya Janata Party}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sharma, Arvind Kumar}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian politicians]]
[[Category:People from Mau district]]
[[Category:Members of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council]]
[[Category:Bharatiya Janata Party politicians from Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:1962 births]]

A. K. Sharma - Revision history

LucileBrownbill: updated page

2405:201:6007:498F:F8E8:D53D:7837:2366 at 16:30, 7 January 2022

164.100.26.25 at 08:56, 2 December 2021