 The tinges of power come as expected to Vasundhara Raje, a born princess, the first woman Chief Minister of Rajasthan, who learnt the basics of political niceties from her mother late Rajmata Vijaya Raje Scindia and elder brother late Madhavrao Scindia. Her opponents paradoxically projected the 50-year old daughter-in-law of the Dholpur royals, who propelled her party to an unparalleled majority of its own in the Assembly polls devastating the record of even stalwart Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, as an "outsider" in the run-up to the elections. Her mother instilled Smt. Vijaya Raje Scindia Social and Political interests in Vasundhara Raje from early childhood. Since an early age she has been working for social causes.
 On March 8, 1953, Vasundhara Raje was born in Mumbai as the fourth child of the serving Ruler of Gwalior His Highness Jivaji Rao Scindia and his wife Rajmata Vijaya Raje. From Presentation Convent, Kodaikanal, she finished her school education. After that, she went to Sophia College, Mumbai University, Mumbai, (Maharasthra) and graduated in Economic and Political Science (Hons.). With her marriage to the present ruler of Dholpur, Maharaja Hemant Singh, Vasundhara came in touch with Rajasthan. Her marriage took place on November 17, 1972. Her relationship with Rajasthan since then became much stronger.
Her son Dushyant Singh was elected to the Lok Sabha from her former constituency. By the UNO, in 2007 she was awarded "Women Together Award", for efforts to assist women in self-empowerment.
From the year 1984, Vasundhara Raje started involving with politics. She was inducted to the National working Committee of Bhartiya Janta Party in that very same year. For two years 1984-1986, she served as the Vice President of the State BJP YUVA Morcha. As MLA in the State Assembly, she represented Dholpur from 1985-1989. From 1987 to 1989, she held the post of vice-president of the State Unit of BJP and for the first time in 1989, she was elected as MP from Jhalawar. She was elected since then, for further four successive terms for the Lok Sabha in 1991, 1996, 1998, and 1999. For five consecutive terms, representation of a constituency in the Lok Sabha is a definite signal of her popularity. She was elected as the Joint Secretary, BJP Parliamentary Committee in the year 1997.
With her devotion, sincerity and efficiency Vasundhara Raje, earned the portfolio of Minister of State for External Affairs in 1998-99 and Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee headed the cabinet. Raje was again included in the Central Ministry on October 13, 1999, as State Minister with independent charge of Small Industries, Personnel & Training, Pension & Pensioners Welfare, Personnel & Public Grievances and Pension Ministry, Nuclear Energy Department and Space Department, etc.
In September 2002, Vasundhara Raje was honored with the post of the President of the Rajasthan Unit of BJP. She conducted the "Parivartan Yatra", which helped her recognize the miseries of the citizens of Rajasthan and problems in development of the State. From Jhalarapatan constituency of Jahalwar district, Vasundhara Raje has been elected for the 12th State Assembly.
 The positions that she held throughout her political career are:
1984 : Member, National Executive, Bharatiya Janata Party (B.J.P.)
1985-87 : Vice-President, Yuva Morcha B.J.P., Rajasthan
1987 : Vice-President, B.J.P., Rajasthan
1985-90 Member, 8th Rajasthan Legislative Assembly
1989-91 : Member, 9th Lok Sabha
1990-91 : Member, Library Committee, Member, Consultative Committee, Ministries of Commerce and Tourism
1991-96 : Member, 10th Lok Sabha
1991-96 : Member, Consultative Committees, Ministries of Power, Science and Technology, Environment and Tourism1996-97 Member, Committee on Science and Technology, Environment and Forests, Member, Consultative Committees, Ministries of Power, Science and Technology and Tourism
1997-1998 : Joint Secretary, B.J.P. Parliamentary Party
1996-8 : Member, 11th Lok Sabha
1997-1998 : Joint Secretary, B.J.P. Parliamentary Party
1998-99 : Member, 12th Lok Sabha and Union Minister of State, External Affairs
1999-03 : Member, 13th Lok Sabha
2003: President, B.J.P., Rajasthan
2003 onwards Member, 12th Rajasthan Legislative Assembly
Reading, music, horse riding and gardening are the hobbies of Vasundhara Raje. For various social causes, she has visited England, Japan, China, Nepal Bangladesh Egypt, Morocco, Sri Lanka, South Africa, South Korea, etc. On December 6, 2003, Vasundhara Raje was elected without any opposition as the leader of the BJP State unit. On December 8, 2003, she was sworn in as the first woman Chief Minister of the State.
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