Kapil Mishra calls himself a “pakka dilliwala”. He admits that while life may not be easy in this big, busy and diverse city, he owes a lot to it. The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) vice chairman feels the city has taught him tolerance, acceptability, a never-say-die attitude and an openness to experiment, which made him join politics.
Mishra says Delhi has changed over the years and continues to, and he wants to be a part of this change in a positive way. This is what made him join the India Against Corruption movement with Arvind Kejriwal. Mishra says it is his way of giving back to the city which gave him so much.
“There are still areas in Delhi, even my constituency, which need attention and people are desperate for change and I am committed to bringing that change,” Mishra says.
His past experience as a social and political campaign planner in various NGOs over the years has come in handy while managing DJB affairs. He completed his MBA (executive) from FMS Delhi and has a master’s degree in social work from Delhi University.
Founder of ‘Youth for Justice’ organisation that led the campaign for justice in the Jessica Lal murder case, the social activist-turned-politician led protests against corruption during the Commonwealth Games in 2010. He also authored a book, It’s Common V/S Wealth in 2010. Mishra has also worked to create awareness about encroachments on the Yamuna riverbed in Delhi.
His mother Annapurna Mishra served in the BJP for over 20 years and is a former East Delhi mayor. But Kapil Mishra decided to join AAP for he was in regular touch with party chief Kejriwal for the last 10 years. Mishra says while his family members may have different political ideologies, they are always together as one happy family.