Salhoutuonuo Kruse (née Kruneilie; born 15 December 1966) is an Indian politician from Nagaland. In 2023, along with Hekani Jakhalu Kense, Kruse became the first woman to be elected to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly. She was appointed the Minister for Women Resource Development & Horticulture in the 5th Rio ministry, making her also the first female cabinet minister in Nagaland. She previously served as a president of the Angami Women Organization.
Salhoutuonuo Kruse | |
|---|---|
| Cabinet Minister, Government of Nagaland | |
| Assumed office 7 March 2023 | |
| Governor | La. Ganesan |
| Cabinet | Fifth Rio ministry |
| Chief Minister | Neiphiu Rio |
| Ministry and Departments |
|
| Member of Nagaland Legislative Assembly | |
| Assumed office March 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Keneizhakho Nakhro |
| Constituency | Western Angami |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Salhoutuonuo Kruneilie 15 December 1966 Kiruphema, Kohima District, Nagaland, India |
| Political party | Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party |
| Spouse |
Kevisekho Kruse
(m. 1986; died 2021) |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence | Kohima |
| Education | Ministers' Hill Baptist Higher Secondary School |
| Alma mater | Kohima College (BA) |
| Signature |  |
Early life
editSalhoutuonuo Kruneilie was born 15 December 1966 to an Angami Naga family from Kiruphema Bawe. She studied at Ministers' Hill Baptist Higher Secondary School in Kohima and later, completed her graduation from Kohima College. She married Kevisekho Kruse, an engineer on 2 October 1986.[1] Kevisekho retired as a chief engineer of Nagaland's Public Health Engineering Department. He later joined politics.[2]
Career
editKruse served as the President of the Angamimiapfü Mechü Krotho (now known as Angami Women Organization) from 2011 to 2014.[3][4] She is also an advisory board member of the Angami Public Organization, which is the male-dominated apex tribal body for the Angami Naga.[4]
Political life
editKruse's husband, Kevisekho Kruse, joined Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) in 2018 and fought the Nagaland Legislative Assembly election that year from the Western Angami Assembly seat as the party candidate. He lost to Naga People's Front (NPF) candidate Keneizhakho Nakhro by 694 votes. Later, Nakhro joined the NDPP in 2022.[5]
Kruse's husband died on 4 June 2021 due to complications arising from COVID-19. Nakhro in his condolence message stated, "He was a visionary leader full of impeccable knowledge, hopes, positive energy and keenly loved across by many for his lively nature and simplicity."[5] In the subsequent state elections, Salhoutuonuo Kruse was given the NDPP party ticket over sitting MLA Nakhro for the Western Angami seat. The latter then fought the election as an independent candidate.[6] By standing for elections, Kruse said that she wanted to fulfil her husband's political vision.[7]
At the time of filing her nominations, Kruse was one of the 104 crorepati (₹10 million rupees) candidates in fray. With declared assets of over ₹129 million, she was in the top ten richest candidates standing for the state elections.[8] The elections for the 14th Nagaland State Legislative Assembly was held on 27 February 2023. It was largely peaceful albeit a few pre- and post-poll incidents. However, it was marked with several allegations of proxy voting and other irregularities.[9] The election results were announced on 2 March 2023. Kruse won the elections for the Western Angami seat by a margin of seven votes. She counted 7078 votes, while her nearest rival and sitting MLA Nakhro received 7071 votes.[10] By winning the seat, Kruse became one of the first elected women of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly alongwith Hekani Jakhalu.[4][6][11] Kruse later attributed her electoral victory by an extremely small margin to "God's providence."[4][12]
First term
editDuring her first term as the Member of the Legislative Assembly, Kruse was appointed the Minister for Women Resource Development & Horticulture in the 5th Rio ministry.[13] She became the first female cabinet minister in Nagaland.
During her leadership, the state horticulture department, under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture launched the 'Horticulture Model Village' (HMV) programme in Nagaland. One village in each of the state's districts was idenfited with an emphasis on increasing horticulture crops.[14] In September 2023, Kruse declared Khonoma village the first HMV.[15] During the fourth Organic Orange Festival of Rüsoma village, Kruse announced the inclusion of the village under HMV 2025. In 2024 the village had over 14000 fruit-bearing orange trees and over 28000 saplings planted. She suggested improving intercultural practices and indigenous wisdom and integrate modern horticultural techniques and development. She promised farmers market linkages for sale.[16] On 10 September 2024, Kruse announced the plan to set up an apple processing unit at Thanamir village which produces 40-50 tons of apple every year. The fruit is available from July to December every year. She also encouraged villagers to cultivate other suitable crops with the assurance that the state's horticulture department with provide assistance in market linkages, technical knowledge, and other support.[17]
Personal life
editKruse is a Baptist Christian and she attends Ministers' Hill Baptist Church in Kohima.
She was married to Kevisekho Kruse. They married on 2 October 1986 and had two daughters together.[1] He later died from complications of COVID-19 on 4 June 2021 at age 60.[18][19]
References
edit- ^ a b "Salhoutuonuo Kruse, the first woman minister of Nagaland, made history in her debut fight". CNBC TV18. 10 March 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
- ^ Morung Express News (4 June 2021). "Condolences pour in for Er Kevisekho Kruse". The Morung Express. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
- ^ "Angami Women Organization triennial meet held". The Morung Express. 9 May 2011. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Hekhani Jakhalu, Salhoutuonuo Kruse become first women MLAs in Nagaland assembly". Deccan Herald. 2 March 2023. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
- ^ a b Morung Express News (29 April 2022). "Twenty one NPF MLAs join NDPP". The Morung Express.
- ^ a b Kalita, Kangkan (3 March 2023). "Nagaland gets its 1st women MLAs". The Times of India. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
- ^ "Salhoutuonuo Kruse- first woman minister of Nagaland". The Morung Express. 7 March 2023. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
- ^ Jamir, Moa (15 February 2023). "Nagaland Elections: 104 'crorepatis' in the fray; other with just over Rs 5000". The Morung Express. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
- ^ Jamir, Moa (30 December 2023). "Nagaland 2023: A Timeline". The Morung Express. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
- ^ Morung Express News (2 March 2023). "14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly Elections Result". The Morung Express. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
- ^ Dhar, Aniruddha (2 March 2023). "Nagaland scripts history in assembly election, elects 2 women candidates for first time". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
- ^ Morung Express News (14 March 2023). "'Winning by 7 votes only through God's providence,' says Kruse". The Morung Express. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
- ^ "Nagaland Cabinet allots portfolios". The Morung Express. 9 March 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
- ^ Page News Service (15 September 2023). "Kruse Launches Horticulture Model Village Project - Nagaland Page". Nagaland Page. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
- ^ Morung Express News (15 September 2023). "Khonoma village to be the 1st horticulture model village". The Morung Express. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
- ^ Morung Express News (24 January 2024). "Celebrating bountiful harvest, 4th Organic Orange Festival begins in Rüsoma Village". The Morung Express. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
- ^ Morung Express News (11 September 2024). "Nagaland's Thanamir produces 40-50 tonnes of apples annually". The Morung Express. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
- ^ "NDPP holds memorial service in memory of K Kruse". Eastern Mirror. 5 June 2022. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
- ^ "Various Organisations Mourn Death Of Kruse". Nagaland Page. 4 June 2021. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
External links
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