Atishi Marlena Singh born 8 June 1981, also known as Atishi Singh or Atishi Marlena or Atishi, is an Indian politician, and education reformer, who belongs to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and New Delhi Chief Minister (September 17, 2024), has played a key figure in transforming Delhi’s public education system. Known for her dedication to education and public policy, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the vision of governance in Delhi under the AAP government. Here’s a complete biography of Atishi.
Atishi Early Life and Education
Atishi Marlena, popularly known as Atishi, was born in New Delhi on June 8, 1981, into a progressive Rajput Punjabi background family. Her parents, Vijay Singh and Tripta Wahi, were professors at Delhi University, and both were actively involved in learning political movements. Atishi’s upbringing was rooted in intellectualism, with a deep emphasis on education and social justice. (Instagram )
Atishi Education
Atishi was raised in Delhi. Atishi attended Springdales School, a prominent institution in Delhi. After completing her schooling, she pursued a degree in History at St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University,2001 one of the most prestigious colleges in India. Atishi was an exceptional student and later earned the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship to study at Oxford University.
She then went to the University of Oxford, and in 2003 she completed her master’s degree in history on a Chevening scholarship. In 2005, she went to Magdalen College, Oxford as a Rhodes scholar.
Early Career and Activism
After her return to India, Atishi began her career as an activist and education consultant. Her passion for social change and a keen interest in improving public education led her to work with several non-governmental organizations (NGOs), focusing on education reform, rural development, and governance. Atishi’s background in education policy and her exposure to global education standards through her studies at Oxford equipped her to take on large-scale reform.
Entry into Politics and Role in AAP
Atishi formally entered politics when she joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in 2013, attracted by its anti-corruption agenda and focus on governance reforms. Initially, she worked behind the scenes, contributing to policy development and strategy. Her intellectual rigor and dedication were soon recognized, and she became an integral part of the party’s think tank. In January 2013, she became involved in policy formulation for the AAP, which has its roots in that movement. She was closely involved with the Jal Satyagraha in the Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh in 2015 and provided support to the AAP leader
In 2015, following AAP’s sweeping victory in the Delhi Legislative Assembly elections, Atishi was appointed as an advisor to Manish Sisodia, the Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, who also held the education portfolio. Atishi was given the responsibility of driving reforms in the Delhi government’s education system.
Political Career and Elections
2019 Lok Sabha Elections
In 2019, Atishi entered the electoral fray and contested the Lok Sabha elections from the East Delhi constituency as an AAP candidate. Despite a well-fought campaign and strong public support for her educational reforms, she lost to BJP candidate Gautam Gambhir by a margin of 4.77 lakh votes.
2020 Delhi Legislative Assembly election
In the 2020 Delhi Assembly Elections, she contested from the Kalkaji constituency and won, by defeating Dharambir Singh, a Bharatiya Janata Party candidate, by 11,422 votes becoming a Member of the Delhi Legislative Assembly. Following her victory, Atishi took on several responsibilities in the Delhi government, continuing to influence policy, especially in education and public services.
As a Cabinet Minister
She was inducted into the Delhi Government as a Cabinet Minister, along with Saurabh Bharadwaj after the resignation of Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Health Minister Satyender Jain.
As a Chief Minister
On 17 September 2024, she was named as the Chief Minister of Delhi in a meeting of Aam Admi Party MLAs at the residence of Arvind Kejriwal. With this, she went on to become the youngest-ever CM of Delhi at the age of 43.
Transforming Delhi’s Education System
Atishi’s most significant contribution came through her work on reforming Delhi’s public school education. Her efforts were focused on:
- Infrastructure Improvements: Under her guidance, the infrastructure of Delhi’s government schools was transformed, with modern classrooms, improved sanitation, and well-equipped laboratories and libraries becoming standard.
- Curriculum and Teacher Training: Atishi was instrumental in introducing innovative educational programs, including the Happiness Curriculum and the Entrepreneurship Mindset Curriculum, to foster emotional well-being and practical skills among students. She also played a role in improving the quality of teacher training, ensuring that educators were better equipped to handle modern classroom challenges.
- Collaboration with Experts: Atishi collaborated with educational experts and international institutions to bring best practices from around the world to Delhi’s schools. Her leadership saw the creation of model schools in Delhi, which set new benchmarks for public education in India.
Her work in education made Delhi’s public schools a model for other states, and her initiatives were widely lauded nationally and internationally. Atishi’s contribution to public education reforms is regarded as one of the key achievements of the AAP government.
Atishi Husband
Atishi’s husband Praveen Singh is a researcher and educator. While Atishi is an Oxford University graduate, her husband is an IIT Delhi and IIM Ahmedabad graduate. He has been involved in several social experiments and community-based services.
Recognition and Impact
Atishi’s contribution to Delhi’s education system has been widely recognized. She has been credited with transforming the perception of government schools and improving the quality of education for millions of children. Her work has drawn praise from educationists, politicians, and civil society alike.
Her journey from academia to activism and now politics reflects her deep commitment to public service and her belief in creating a more equitable society through education.
