Gaurav Gogoi

Some Lesser Known Facts About Gaurav Gogoi

• His father was a lawyer and politician who served as the Chief Minister of Assam from 2001 to 2016, making him the longest-serving chief minister of the state. ^[11]India Today

• Gaurav never aspired to become a politician. Instead, he dreamed of making a name for himself in the corporate world, particularly in the IT sector, to be a CEO.

• After completing his engineering degree, Gaurav joined Airtel’s marketing team. However, in 2005, he decided to leave his job and follow his passion for social service.

• From 2005 to 2007, Gaurav worked with Pravah, an NGO, based in Delhi.

  

• While he was in the USA, Gaurav started working as a Policy Aide at the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations in New York. It was there that he met Elizabeth Colebourn, who was also employed at the mission.

• Elizabeth Colebourn, a British, is an alumna of the London School of Economics.

• Gaurav’s family had reservations about him marrying a British woman, fearing it could negatively impact his political career. Elizabeth’s family also had concerns due to the significant cultural differences between the two families. Despite these objections, Gaurav remained resolute in his decision to follow his heart and marry Elizabeth.

• After coming back to India, in 2011, Gaurav founded an NGO, Farm2Food, to oversee the mid-day meal program and introduce children to organic farming. This NGO has won numerous awards for their work including Outlook Poshan Award 2019 and Northeast India Social Impact Award 2015.

  

• Gaurav founded the Youth Forum on Foreign Policy, that serves as a platform for open discussions between Indian foreign policy practitioners, scholars, and young citizens on important issues.

• Following in his father’s footsteps, Gaurav joined Indian National Congress (INC) in 2013.

• In 2014, Gaurav was elected as an MP representing the Kaliabor constituency of Assam. During his term from 2014 to 2019, he served on several committees, including the Standing Committee on Defence, Railways, and the Committee on Violation of Protocol Norms and Contemptuous Behaviour of Government Officers with Members of Lok Sabha.

• The Kaliabor constituency has been held by members of the Gogoi family since 1998. Initially, it was held by Gaurav’s father, followed by his uncle, Dip Gogoi, and then by Gaurav himself from 2014 onwards.

• Gaurav’s uncle, Dip Gogoi, is the younger brother of Tarun Gogoi. Dip Gogoi is a former member of Parliament and was elected to the Lok Sabha three times, in 2002 (by-elections), 2004, and 2009, representing the Kaliabor constituency.

  

• In 2020, Gaurav was named the deputy leader of the Congress party in the Lok Sabha. ^[12]Times of India

• Gaurav made headlines on 26 July 2023, when, as the deputy leader of the opposition party in the Lok Sabha, he spearheaded a No-Confidence Motion against the ruling party government. The primary reason cited for the motion was the ethnic violence in Manipur.

• Gaurav was appointed as the chairman of the screening committee on 3 August 2023. This committee was responsible for selecting candidates for the Rajasthan assembly elections. Other members of this committee include Ashok Gehlot, Sachin Pilot, and CP Joshi, among others. ^[13]ABP Live

  

• He is a big foodie and to keep himself fit, he never misses his exercise routine. On workdays, he goes for a seven-kilometre run, while on holidays, he increases the distance to twelve kilometres. According to him, his love for food motivates him to exercise, as it allows him to eat whatever he wants.

• He actively raises important issues in Parliament. During the 17th Lok Sabha, until the August 2023 monsoon session, his attendance was 76%, below the national average of 79%. He contributed to 71 debates, asked 224 questions and introduced 5 private members’ bills, surpassing the national average of 42.7, 191, and 1.5 respectively. ^[14]PRS Legislative Research