Kochi: New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern inducted Indian origin Priyanka Radha Krishnan as a Minister in her cabinet. Priyanka Radha Krishnan a first generation immigrant, became New Zealand’s first ever Indian- origin Minister on Monday.

Today has been an incredibly special day. I am feeling a lot of things including an overwhelming sense of privilege to become part of our Government, the 41 year old Labour Party MP said. Priyanka Radha Krishnan was born in Chennai but her family is from Paravur in Kerala. She studied school education in Singapore before moving to New Zealand for her further education. The new Minister for diversity, inclusion and ethnic communities comes from an illustrious family in Kerala.

Her left- leaning great grandfather, CR Krishnan Pillai a doctor played a major role in shaping the literary and cultural sensibilities of the state. Priyanka Radha Krishnan has spent her work life advocating on behalf of people whose voices are often unheard women survivors of domestic violence and migrant workers who have been exploited. First elected to New Zealand’s Parliament as a Labour Party representative in 2017, the new Minister has also been given charge of the Ministry for the community and voluntary sector, and been made Associate Minister for social development and employment.