BY THE BOOK

Jagdeep Dhankhar would be a textbook Rajya Sabha chairman who will rely heavily on his knowledge of the Constitution

- PRATUL SHARMA

JAGDEEP DHANKHAR is a quick learner. Within months of joining the Sainik School in Rajasthan’s Chittorgarh as a class five student, he became proficient in English. “During the summer vacations when he was home, he was called to speak before visiting government officials to display his skills. For the villagers, he was always the boy who spoke English well,” recalled Randeep Dhankhar, Congress leader and the new vice president’s younger brother.

At Sainik School, he was also the best cadet of Sanga House—named after Maharana Sangram Singh—and was selected to the National Defence Academy. “They (cadets) are highly motivated by the deeds of this brave ruler and they are also determined to win every battle of their life and are ready to face any challenges to realise their cherished goal in life,” reads the school description.

But Dhankhar had other battles in mind. He did not join the NDA. “He wanted to study more,” said Randeep. The young Dhankhar’s career graph was nomadic—he went on to study Physics for graduation and pursued a law degree from Rajasthan University. He found his calling in the latter. He had a thriving practice, and people would “wait in queues” to hire him as a lawyer, said Randeep. He was later elected Rajasthan High

Court Bar Association president. Randeep said his brother is fond of children and loves talking to them. Dhankhar, 71, has a daughter who is married to a Supreme Court lawyer; he had his son when he was 14. Both brothers had gotten married on the same day, though in different locations.