About C. P. Radhakrishnan
A journey from Tiruppur to the Vice President's Enclave
Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan
15th Vice President of India
Date of Birth
4 May 1957
Birthplace
Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu
Education
BBA, V.O. Chidambaram College, Thoothukudi
Political Party
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
Current Position
15th Vice President of India
Early Life
Born on 4 May 1957 in the bustling textile hub of Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan grew up in a middle-class family. His father, C. K. Ponnusamy, and mother, K. Janaki, instilled in him the values of hard work, discipline, and service to society from an early age.
The young Radhakrishnan was drawn to the ideals of nation-building and social service. At the tender age of 16, in 1973, he joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), beginning a lifelong journey of dedicated public service that would eventually lead him to the highest echelons of Indian governance.
Education
Radhakrishnan pursued his Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from the prestigious V.O. Chidambaram College in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu. His time at college was marked not only by academic pursuits but also by an active engagement in sports and extracurricular activities, shaping the well-rounded leader he would become.
Family
On 25 November 1985, Radhakrishnan married R. Sumathi. Together, they have two children โ a son and a daughter. Despite his high-profile public career, he has maintained a strong commitment to family values and keeps his family life private, reflecting the simplicity that defines his personal character.
Personal Interests
Table Tennis
College champion and lifelong player
Cricket
Passionate follower and player
Long-Distance Running
Endurance athlete and fitness enthusiast
Travel
Visited 24+ countries across the globe
International Exposure
Shri Radhakrishnan has traveled extensively across the globe, visiting over 24 countries including the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Belgium, Netherlands, Turkey, China, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Egypt, UAE, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Japan. This wide-ranging international exposure has enriched his understanding of global governance, trade, and diplomacy.
The 'Ajatshatru' of Indian Politics
โIn the often combative arena of Indian politics, Shri Radhakrishnan stands out as a rare figure universally respected across party lines. Known colloquially as 'Ajatshatru' โ a Sanskrit term meaning 'one who has no enemies' โ he has earned this epithet through decades of gracious, principled, and non-confrontational conduct in public life.
His simplicity is legendary. Despite holding some of the most powerful positions in Indian governance, he remains approachable, kind-hearted, and deeply connected to the common citizen. His leadership style emphasizes dialogue over confrontation, consensus over conflict, making him one of the most respected figures in contemporary Indian politics.