Tech-savvy Rajiv Pratap Rudy joins union ministry (Profile)

Senior BJP leader Rajiv Pratap Rudy used to fly for a commercial airline. He is tech-savvy and is active on social networking sites such as Twitter. He is also known for his love for a good life.

Rudy, 52, who was hired as a co-pilot with Delhi-based private airline IndiGo Airlines on an honorary basis, is a well known face in media circles. He is also Bharatiya Janta Party's (BJP) national general secretary.

He announced about his induction into Modi's cabinet through his Twitter post Sunday.

He is one of the few English speaking BJP leaders from the Hindi heartland, a qualified lawyer and a lecturer in the Magadh University in Bihar.

Rudy was first time elected to the state assembly from Taraiya on the Janata Dal ticket in 1990. He joined the BJP after the mid-90s.

He served as commerce and industry minister from September 2001 to May 2003 and as civil aviation minister from May 24, 2003, to May 21, 2004.

Rudy belongs to the upper caste Rajput community from Amnaur in Saran district of Bihar.

In his home district and across Bihar, people still recall reports of how he used to wash his hands with mineral water during his visit to his constituency.