Vidya Stokes

Vidya Stokes Biography

Vidya Stokes is an Indian politician and Congress leader from Kotgarh, Shimla. A former MLA of the state of Himachal Pradesh, she served as the Irrigation & Public Health Minister of Himachal Pradesh during 2012-2017. She is one of the foremost female leaders of the state of Himachal Pradesh who has served as the member of legislative assembly of record 8 times. She has been elected to state assembly during state assembly elections held in 1974, 1982, 1985, 1990, 1998, 2003, 2007 and 2012. However she was denied a party ticket for 2018 elections at the age of 90+. At the age of 83 she was elected Hockey India president on 5 August 2010.

Vidya Stokes was born on 8 December 1927 in Kotgarh, Shimla. She studied till under-graduation before she got married at a young age. Her husband Lal Chand Stokes is a Horticulturist and a social worker. Her father-in-law Satyananda Stokes participated in the Indian Independence Movement and best known for introducing apple cultivation to Himachal Pradesh, which turned a great turnover business. Vidya got into active politics after marriage. She has two daughters currently settled in US.

This veteran Congress leader has also served a few administrative positions. She served as the Director of the State Bank of India, and was a board member at Delhi during 1973-1974. She became Hockey India president in 2010 against rules and regulations. She owns an illustrious political career being elected to state assembly 8 times. She is the oldest winner in Himachal Pradesh, who won her 8^th term in 2012 at the age of 85. She was denied a ticket at the age of 91 most recently in 2018.

Published: February 27, 2019

Updated: February 27, 2019