Wajahat Habibullah facts for kids

Wajahat Habibullah, born on September 30, 1945, is an important person who has worked for the Indian government. He was the first ever Chief Information Commissioner of India. He also led the National Commission for Minorities. Before retiring in August 2005, he was a senior officer in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). He also worked as a Secretary for local government matters in the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.

About Wajahat Habibullah's Life

Wajahat Habibullah comes from an important family in India. His father, General Enaith Habibullah, was a leader at the NDA. His mother, Hamida Habibullah, was a politician and worked in education.

He worked in the Kashmir Division of Jammu and Kashmir between 1991 and 1993. During this time, he helped manage eight different districts. Later, in 2010, he became a member of the World Bank's Info Appeals Board. His children, Amar and Saif, are businessmen, and his wife, Shahila, is a social worker.

Education and Learning

Wajahat Habibullah went to school at Welham Boys School and then the Doon School in Dehradun. He finished his Senior Cambridge exams in 1961.

He studied History at St. Stephen's College, part of the University of Delhi, and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1965. He continued his studies at the University of Delhi and received his Master of Arts in History in 1967. After his education, he joined the Indian Administrative Service.

Important Roles and Memberships

Wajahat Habibullah has been part of several important groups. These roles show his dedication to public service and international relations.

Advisory Councils

He has been a member of the Advisory Council for the Brookings Doha Center. He also served on the International Advisory Council in Doha, Qatar. Additionally, he was a member of the Advisory Council for the USIP Education and Training Center in Washington DC.

Board Leadership

He was the Chairman of the Board of Governors for the National Institute of Technology in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir. This role involved overseeing the management of the institute.

Awards and Recognitions

Wajahat Habibullah has received several awards for his work and contributions.

• Rajiv Gandhi Award for Excellence in Secularism: He received this award in 1994.
• Gold Medal for Distinguished Service: The Governor of Jammu & Kashmir honored him with this medal in 1996.
• Lala Ram Mohan History Award: He received this award from Delhi University in 1967.