Jyotirmoyee Sikdar


Jyotirmoyee Sikdar is an Indian politician and former sportswoman. She served as member of parliament of the Communist Party of India from the Krishnagar constituency in the 14th Lok Sabha. She was defeated in the 2009 Indian general election by the actor turned politician Tapas Paul of the Trinamool Congress. She had been reportedly inactive in politics following her defeat. In 2019, she herself pledged support to the All India Trinamool Congress and then joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in the following year.
She was a middle distance runner and won the 800 metres at the 1995 Asian Athletics Championships. She went on to win the bronze medal in 800 m and 1500 m events in the 1998 Asian Athletics Championships and gold medal in both the events in the Asian Games in Bangkok in 1998. She is a recipient of the Arjuna Award in 1995 and the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award for the year 1998–1999. She was awarded the Padma Shri in 2003.

Personal life

Sikdar was born on 11 December 1969 to Gurudas Sikdar and Nihar Sikdar in Debagram of Nadia district in West Bengal. She finished High School and joined the Railways at the age of 18. Railways offered her the job
after she topped the All India varsity games. Sikdar married Avtar Singh on 9 February 1994, with whom she has a son, Avrajyoti Singh who is also a medalist in rifle shooting.
Jyotirmoyee has represented India at the Atlanta Olympics and World Championship in Sweden. She continues with her passion for athletics by serving on the Executive Committee of the Athletic Federation of India.
Besides her athletic prowess, she enjoys cooking and is an avid gardener. Her kitchen garden is home to different varieties of fruits and vegetables that she generously shares with
family and friends. The mango tree is a favourite of many. Community outreach and women's empowerment are core issues close to her heart. She has served on the Parliamentary Standing Committees on Rural Development and HRD.

Achievements