Hekani Jakhalu is an Indian lawyer, social activist and politician, who is contesting the Nagaland Assembly elections 2023. She made headlines in 2023 after she along with Salhoutuonuo Kruse became the first women elected Members of Legislative Assembly (MLA) in Nagaland.
Wiki/Biography
Hekani Jakhalu Kense was born in 1975 (age 48 years; in 2023) in Toluvi, Dimapur, Nagaland. She attended Holy Cross Higher Secondary School in Dimapur after which she studied at Bishop Cotton Girls’ School in Bengaluru, Karnataka. Later, she enrolled at Lady Shri Ram College for Women in New Delhi, where she earned a bachelor of arts degree in political science. In 2002, he earned a bachelor of arts degree in international studies from American University. In 2008, he enrolled at Harvard University in the United States, where he pursued executive education. Later, he earned a bachelor’s degree in law from Delhi University. After that, he earned a degree in executive education from American University. Later, he enrolled at the University of San Francisco, where he earned a master’s degree in law. Later, she worked as an intern with the United Nations (UN) Committee on the Status of Women.
Old picture of Hekani Jakhalu with Sanjay Dutt
Physical appearance
Height (approx): 5′ 4″
Hair Color: Salt and Pepper
Eye Color: Dark Brown
Hekani Jakhalu with AR Rahman
Family
Hekani Jakhalu was born in a middle-class family belonging to a Scheduled Tribe (ST) in Nagaland.
Parents & Siblings
His father, Suhoi Inashe Jakhalu, is a retired lieutenant colonel of the Indian Army. He died in October 2017. His elder brother, Akheto Jakhalu, was an Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot.
Photo of Hekani Jakhalu’s father
Picture of Hekani Jakhalu’s brother
Husband & Son
Her husband, Kevilezo Kense, is a businessman. He has a son named Vik and a daughter named Zavi.
Photo of Hekani Jakhalu with her husband
Photo of Hekani Jakhalu’s daughter
Photo of Hekani Jakhalu’s son
religion
Hekani Jakhalu follows Christianity.
Address
Hekani Jakhalu resides in House No. 87 (A), Lane -04, Toluvi Village, Dimapur, Nagaland- 797116.
Signature/Autograph
Hekani Jakhalu’s signature
Career
Lawyer
After completing his formal education, he began practicing law in New Delhi. Later, he founded a law firm in Delhi providing consultancy to his clients in the field of civil and corporate law. He however resigned from the firm in 2005. As a lawyer, he represented his clients in the Delhi High Court as well as the Supreme Court. He practiced law in the Delhi High Court until 2005.
Politicians
Hekani Jakhalu joined the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) after he left his law practice in New Delhi and shifted back to Nagaland. He is contesting the 2023 Nagaland Legislative Assembly elections from Dimapur III constituency on an NDPP ticket.
Hekani Jakhalu’s photo taken during the 2023 state assembly election campaign
In the elections, she defeated Azheto Zimomi, the Lok Janshakti (Ram Vilas) candidate, by 1536 votes, becoming the first woman to enter the Nagaland state assembly. While giving an interview, he said,
I won because people want change. I have been involved in social services for over 17 years. All this time, I have worked with youth. I will work for minority community (read non-tribal community). They make up more than half of the population in the area.”
Social Activism
In 2002, Hekani began working with Amnesty International in San Francisco. He worked there until 2003. In 2006, Hekani Jakhalu left his law practice in New Delhi and moved to Dimapur, where he founded YouthNet, a non-profit organization. Subsequently, the NGO established several employment centers in Nagaland to provide jobs to the people of the northeast based on their educational qualifications. The NGO has ties with global organizations such as JW Marriott Hotel and Pullman Hotels and Resorts. Later, the NGO started providing vocational courses to the youth at a very low fee. While giving an interview, he said,
We gave them an orientation for a week, and explained them about the sector. Also, we keep in touch with them, especially the first time. We have a mechanism that we use to track them and take care of the safety and accommodation of the young people for a year.”
Group photo of Hekani NGO staff, YouthNet
In September 2008, he became the chairman of Young Indians and remained in that position until September 2010. In 2013, with the intention of promoting young entrepreneurs, YouthNet started an event called “The Entrepreneur” where many new professionals represented their ideas.
While giving an interview, Hekani Jakhalu said that he decided to start his NGO in Nagaland after he saw a large number of young people from the northeastern part of India working in New Delhi, far away from their hometown. Speaking about it, he said,
In every shop in every mall, you can see young men and women from the northeast working there. I wonder what drives young people from the northeast to the metros. Is it out of choice, or forced? Also, because most of them come from small villages, these cities are unsafe, expensive to live in and culturally different.”
In 2018, to promote local products from Nagaland, YouthNet established Made In Nagaland, a center where manufacturers sell their products to consumers.
Award
- In 2018, the Government of India awarded Hekani Jakhalu the Nari Shakti Puraskar, India’s highest civilian award given only to women.
Hekani Jakhalu’s photo taken when he received the Nari Shakti Puraskar from President Ram Nath Kovind
- In 2021, Hekani Jakhalu received the Prerna Award from Schneider Electric.
Assets/Property
Movable Assets
- Bank Deposit: Rs. 22,55,761
- Motor Vehicle: Rs. 10,65,540
- Jewellery: Rs. 2,30,000 (gold finger ring and Cartier watch)
Immovable Assets
- Non Agricultural Land: Rs. 37,50,000
- Commercial Building: Rs. 3,50,00,000
Note: The estimate of movable and immovable assets given is according to the year 2023. It does not include assets owned by her husband.
Net worth
Hekani Jekhalu’s net worth in 2023 is estimated to be Rs. 4,25,01,300. It does not include her husband’s net worth.
Facts/Trivia
- Hekani Jakhalu owns a Toyota Innova Crysta. It is reported that Hekani and her husband own more than six cars.
- Hekani Jakhalu is a Hodophile and has visited many countries.
- In 2008, Hekani Jakhalu shared a photo of himself smoking a cigarette.
Hekani Jakhalu’s Facebook photo that he posted in 2008
Categories: Biography
Source: SCHOOL TRANG DAI
