February 28th, 2001, saw Yashwant Sinha, the Finance Minister of India, present his fourth budget. And the whole nation listened with bated breath. Second generation economic reforms were introduced nearly a decade after the revolutionary economic reforms of 1991. After the pre-budget opinion polls, Financial Analysts went into a frenzy studying the budget - is it really what India needs? Can it help revive the flailing economy?

The budget has dealt with issues such as accelerating the privitisation process of the Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), infrastructure, rationalisation of subsidies and control of non-productive expenses. And despite the questions and doubts that hang in the air, the Gujarat earthquake, and the recession that has hit the American economy, the consensus is that the budget has managed to address core, important issues. No mean feat. The Finance Minister can be appluaded for having walked the tight rope of the budget successfully. Now what is to be seen is how well all the reforms are implemented.

A brief biography of the Finance Minister.

Yashwant Sinha
...Was born at Patna, the capital city of Bihar, India on 6th November, 1937.

Education
...School and University was at Patna. Obtained his Masters Degree in Political Science in 1958.

Professional life
...Taught Political Science in the Patna University from 1958 to 1960.
Joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1960. Served for 24 years.
Joined active politics as a member of the Janata Party after resigning from the Indian Administrative Service in 1984.
All-India General Secretary of the party in 1986.
Was elected Member of the Rajya Sabha (the Upper House of the Indian Parliament) in 1988.
When the Janata Dal was formed (1989), appointed as the General Secretary of the party.
Minister of Finance from November, 1990 to June 1991 in Mr. Chandra Shekhar's Cabinet.
He became the National Spokesperson of the BJP in June, 1996.
He was appointed Finance Minister of India in March, 1998.

Constituency
...He represents Hazaribagh Constituency in Bihar, in the Lok Sabha.

Gossip
...As collector in an obscure district in Bihar - when up against the usual arm-twisting tactic of a minister, with threatens of a transfer - refused to toe in. And here was born his most famous quote: ``Even if you transfer me, I shall remain a civil servant. But you are at the mercy of the electorate who can overthrow you anytime.''

Family
...Married to Nilima. They have 3 children, two sons and a daughter.

Interests
...Has a wide range of interests including reading, gardening and meeting people.

Wants to be remembered as
...Yashwant Sinha.