President Ram Nath Kovind celebrates his 76th birthday today - read about his incredible journey

President Ram Nath Kovind is celebrating his 76th birthday today. The 14th President of India Ram Nath Kovind was born in a small village Paraunkh in Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur district. Kovind's incredible journey from humble beginnings to holding the most prestigious position in the country is a lesson to be learned. 

Ram Nath Kovind is an advocate by profession and later was chosen as a Rajya Sabha member and subsequently Bihar's Governor before becoming the President of India. Here we look at some lesser-known facts about the President and his illustrious career.

About Ram Nath Kovind

Kovind was born in village Paraunkh in the Kanpur district of Uttar Pradesh.

His father was a farmer who also ran a small grocery store. His mother died when he was a young child. 

Ram Nath Kovind earned degrees in commerce and law from Kanpur University.

Kovind then moved to Delhi in order to take the civil services examination.

Although he passed, Kovind chose to practice law and was admitted to the Bar Council of India in 1971.

Kovind practiced in Delhi High Court and Supreme Court for about 16 years until 1993.

He served as Counsel of the Union Government in the Delhi High Court from 1977 to 1979.

In 1978, he rose to become an Advocate-on-Record with the Supreme Court of India.

From 1980 to 1993, he was Standing Counsel for the Union Government in the Supreme Court.

Under the Free Legal Aid Society of New Delhi, he also provided aid to weaker sections of society.

Before joining the BJP in 1977, he also worked as the private secretary of then Prime Minister Morarji Desai.

Kovind represented India at the United Nations. He addressed the United Nations General Assembly in October 2002.

Kovind has donated his ancestral house in his native village of Paraunkh to make it a marriage hall.