I Worked as Adviser to Stalin, Chandrababu and Mamata: Minister Keerthana

Tamil Nadu Industries Minister Keerthana shared experiences from her educational journey, social work and political career during a felicitation programme held on Thursday at the private school where she studied in Virudhunagar. She said she had worked as a political adviser to former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Keerthana recalled that her family had planned her marriage soon after she completed her degree, but she persuaded her father to support her ambition of pursuing higher education in London. When she later decided to enter politics, her father stood by her and even helped put up campaign posters. She said it was important for children to build their parents’ confidence and help them overcome their fears.

Keerthana said she struggled initially at Pondicherry Central University because she did not know English or Hindi. Interacting with students from other states helped her learn Hindi and Telugu. She later worked as a data analyst at an international organisation, earning ₹30,000 a month, and participated in social service initiatives in Maharashtra’s slum areas to support women’s empowerment. These experiences sparked her interest in politics, while her work as an adviser to prominent political leaders gave her the confidence to enter the field. She urged students to remember that good intentions and public service matter more than money or family background in politics. She also encouraged women to break away from the conventional path of schooling, college and marriage, and pursue their ambitions without allowing social expectations to limit their opportunities.