Know everything about Atishi Marlena, set to become Delhi's next Chief Minister
New Delhi: Atishi Marlena Singh is poised to take over as Delhi’s next Chief Minister, following her selection as the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) top candidate. The decision was made at a legislative meeting held at Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s residence, with Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia backing her nomination. This transition comes amid speculation that Kejriwal, a former IRS officer, may soon tender his resignation to the Lieutenant Governor.
The timing of Atishi's appointment is notable, coinciding with the approaching state elections in Delhi. Kejriwal had recently vowed to step down, promising not to assume office again unless the people of Delhi deemed him to be "honest."
Born on June 8, 1981, Atishi is the daughter of professors Tripta Wahi and Vijay Singh. Her middle name "Marlena" is said to be a blend of the names of Marx and Lenin. However, in 2018, ahead of the elections, Atishi decided to drop the middle name in public life, choosing to go simply by "Atishi."
Atishi's educational background is distinguished. After completing her schooling at Springdales School, New Delhi, she graduated in 2001 with a bachelor's degree in history from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi. She later attended Oxford University, where she earned her master's degree in history, supported by a Chevening fellowship. In 2005, Atishi furthered her studies at Oxford's Magdalen College as a Rhodes scholar.
Atishi’s political career with AAP began in 2013, and she has played a key role in shaping the party’s policies. She was also part of the well-known Jal Satyagraha in Madhya Pradesh in 2015, lending support to AAP leader Alok Agarwal.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Atishi ran against BJP’s Gautam Gambhir in the East Delhi constituency but lost by a margin of 4.5 lakh votes. In the 2020 Delhi Legislative Assembly elections, she contested from the Kalkaji constituency and defeated BJP candidate Dharambir Singh by 11,000 votes.
Following the arrest of former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in connection with an excise policy case, Atishi assumed greater responsibilities within the party. In 2023, she was appointed as the Minister for Education, PWD, Culture, and Tourism in the Delhi government. Prior to that, she served as an advisor to Sisodia on educational matters from 2015 to 2018.
Atishi is widely praised for her contributions to transforming Delhi’s education system. She has played a pivotal role in upgrading infrastructure in government schools, forming school management committees, and curbing unjust fee hikes in private institutions. Her innovative "happiness" curriculum, which focuses on the emotional and mental well-being of students, is another notable achievement.
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Karnataka to witness heavy rain for next 10 days
Bengaluru: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast that the southwest monsoon will cause heavy rainfall likely this weekend and will drench Karnataka over the next 10 days.
The monsoon has begun retreating from northwestern India. Conditions remain active over the south, with an upper air trough extending up to 1.5 km over North Interior Karnataka and northern Tamil Nadu, combined with weakening monsoon winds across the peninsula, is driving the current spell. N. Puviarasan, head of the IMD’s meteorological centre in Bengaluru, said in a conversation with Deccan Herald, “As a result, the whole of Karnataka will see rain over the next week to 10 days."
With a cyclone in the Pacific Ocean along with a low-pressure system over the north Bay of Bengal, the monsoon is expected to intensify during the next four days. IMD has predicted heavy rains across South Interior Karnataka, including Bengaluru, throughout the weekend.
Bengaluru, recorded widespread moderate to heavy rainfall on Thursday. Between 8.30 am and 8.30 pm, Bengaluru city logged 45.9 mm of rain accompanied by thunderstorms. HAL airport registered 6 mm and the Bengaluru Urban automatic station recorded 47.5 mm. Doddathoguru, near Electronics City, reported 55 mm.
According to IMD forecast heavy rainfall will occur at isolated places in Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural, Yadgir, Koppal, Raichur, Ramanagara and Mandya districts in the next few days.
The southwest monsoon is now expected to extend until mid-October and with little or no break in between, the northeast monsoon is likely to follow immediately. These are expected to last until December. “There may be no break in between,” Puviarasan said.
