Thiruvananthapuram: Priyanca Radhakrishnan on Monday became the first Indian-origin woman to be sworn in as a minister in New Zealand as Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern unveiled her new cabinet.
The 41-year-old was sworn in as the Minister for Community and Voluntary Sector.
Radhakrishnan, born in Chennai and brought up in Singapore, has her roots at Paravur in Kerala, where her grandfather was a medical professional as well as a Communist activist.
A two-time MP from Auckland, she reached New Zealand to pursue her higher studies, following which she married an IT professional hailing from Christ Church and since 2004 she has been active in politics with the Labour Party.
She shot into prominence and became popular in Kerala during the last Onam festival when she appeared live with Ardern to extend her greetings on the occasion.
Radhakrishnan loves Malayalam songs and she said her most admired singer is popular Keralite playback singer KJ Yesudas.
(IANS)
Read: NZ PM unveils new cabinet focused on Covid-19 recovery
