Archana Chitnis

Archana Chitnis
Minister of Women and Child Development, Madhya Pradesh Government
In office June 2016 – December 2018
Succeeded by	Imarti Devi
Member of Legislative Assembly, Madhya Pradesh
In office 2008 – December 2018
Succeeded by	Thakur Surendra Singh
Constituency	Burhanpur
Personal details
Born	(1964-04-20) 20 April 1964
Nationality	Indian
Political party	Bharatiya Janata Party
Residence	Burhanpur, Madhya Pradesh
Education	M.Sc, B.Ed
Profession	Politician
Website	http://archnachitnis.com
Source [1]

Archana Chitnis (born 20 April 1964) is a Bharatiya Janata Party politician from Madhya Pradesh. She was a member of Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly representing Burhanpur (Vidhan Sabha constituency) and has served as education minister of the state. She returned to Shivraj Singh Chouhan's Cabinet as Minister of Women and Child Development. She lost the 2018 Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly election against Thakur Surendra Singh from Burhanpur.

First, in her capacity as a legislator and then as a minister, she opened new vistas of development and embarked upon schemes and programmes, which were often acclaimed ‘different’. Innovative schemes like Nandishala (bank of bulls), which form the fundamentals of holistic development were conceived and implemented by her. These included her campaign for cleanliness since 2008, emphasis on greenery, rain-water harvesting, etc. She piloted the schemes like Ladli Lakshmi and Gaon Ki Beti, aimed at uplifting the girl child. This all is the outcome of her perseverance, her urge to continuous learning. Though her out of the box thinking and efforts have sometimes acted as hurdles in her political efforts, she has steadfastly refused to look back.

Early life

Entry into students politics in 1984, University Representative of Devi Ahilya University, Indore and Secretary of Government Degree College Student Union in 1984–85. Former lecturer of Gujarati Science College, Indore.

Political career

Member of Swayamsiddh cooperative sugar and agricultural industry limited, Vishrampur (Gudi) in Khandwa district and Swayamsiddh women cooperative Bank Limited, Indore and Ojaswini (women's magazine). City Secretary of BJP Mahila Morcha, Indore. State Coordinator of BJP cultural cell. Former executive member of National BJYM. Former state vice president of Mahila Morcha. Former Chief of Girls Wing of ABVP. In 2003, she was elected 12th Vidhan Sabha and remained Minister for Women and Child Development, Social Welfare, Higher Education, Technical Education and Training, Animal Husbandry, Cow Promotion Board and social justice. State BJP's spokesperson. traveled to many countries including Singapore, France, Germany . Elected as Member of 13th Vidhan Sabha in 2008 and appointed as Minister of Technical Education and Training, School Education and Higher Education.

Elected for third time as MLA in year 2013. Smt. Archana Chitnis was inducted as Cabinet Minister on June 30, 2016 in the cabinet of Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan.