Priya Varghese is a Malayalam associate professor at Kannur University and the wife of KK Ragesh, who is the private secretary of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
She has been in the news recently for her controversial selection as a faculty member at the university, which was challenged in the Kerala High Court by another candidate.
Biography, Birthday & Age
Priya Varghese, a professor, and author, was born in the beautiful city of Thrissur, located in Kerala, India. Unfortunately, the specific details regarding her exact birthday are not provided in the given information. However, it is mentioned that she falls within the age range of 38-42 years, indicating that she was likely born sometime between 1981 and 1985.
Qualifications: School & College
Priya Varghese is a well-educated and qualified professional who has pursued her studies at reputed institutions. She completed her graduation from Krishnamenon Memorial Government Women’s College in Thiruvananthapuram, where she majored in English literature and language.
She then went on to pursue her post-graduation at the Regional Institute of Education in Mysore, where she specialized in educational psychology and curriculum development. She has also attended various workshops and seminars on topics related to education and pedagogy. She is currently working as a senior lecturer at a renowned college in Bangalore, where she teaches English and psychology to undergraduate students.
Family: Parents & Siblings
Priya Varghese’s family background includes her father, who is an entrepreneur, and her mother, who is a teacher. While specific details about their names or professions are not provided, her father’s occupation as an entrepreneur suggests that he likely owns or manages a business venture.
While the information does not provide any details about Priya Varghese’s siblings, it is mentioned that an update will be provided. Therefore, currently, there is no specific information available regarding her brothers or sisters.
Priya Varghese BIO/WIKI
| Name | Priya Varghese |
| Birthday | 1981-1985 |
| Age | 38-42 years old (as of 2023) |
| Birthplace | Thrissur, Kerala, India |
| Zodiac | Will Update |
| Parents | Names Not Known |
| Siblings | Will Update |
| Husband | KK Ragesh |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Kids | Two Daughters |
| Career | Professor and Author |
| Net Worth | INR 1.5 crores (approx.) |
| Height | 5 feet 5 inches (approx.) |
| Weight | 55 kilograms (approx.) |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Black |
| Education | Krishnamenon Memmorial Govt Womens College Women’s College Thiruvananthapuram Regional Institute of Education, Mysore |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Religion | Christian |
| priyavarghese | |
| priya.varghese.5492 | |
| Homepage | Dreshare.com |
Career and Achievements
Priya Varghese started her career as an examiner in the M.I-12, Ministry of Defence from August 2003 to January 2012. She then joined Sree Vivekananda College as a faculty member in the Department of Malayalam in March 2012. She worked there until June 2018, when she applied for the post of associate professor in Malayalam at Kannur University.
She was selected as the first rank holder among the six candidates who appeared for the interview conducted by a selection committee headed by former Kerala University Vice-Chancellor Dr. Jancy James. She scored 67 out of 75 marks in the interview round, while the second-rank holder scored 55 marks. She also had the lowest research score among the candidates, with 15 out of 25 marks.
She was appointed as an associate professor in Malayalam at Kannur University on July 1, 2018. She also served as the NSS Coordinator and Director of Student Services (DSS) at the university.
Priya Varghese’s Marriage, Husband & Children
Priya Varghese is married to KK Ragesh, who is a former Rajya Sabha MP and a senior leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). He is currently working as the private secretary of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan since May 2021. The couple has two daughters.
Priya Varghese is known to be a devout Christian and an active member of the Church of South India (CSI). She is also interested in social work and cultural activities.
Case, Verdict, and Legal Controversy
Priya Varghese’s selection as an associate professor in Malayalam at Kannur University sparked a huge political row and a legal battle. Another candidate, Dr. Sajitha Kakkadu, who was ranked third in the interview round, filed a writ petition in the Kerala High Court challenging Priya Varghese’s appointment. She alleged that Priya Varghese did not have the required qualification and experience as per the UGC Regulations of 2018. She also claimed that Priya Varghese’s selection was influenced by political pressure and nepotism.
A single judge bench of Justice PB Suresh Kumar heard the petition and passed an order on November 17, 2020, staying Priya Varghese’s appointment. The judge found that Priya Varghese did not have the relevant period of actual teaching experience as stipulated under the UGC Regulations of 2018. He also observed that her periods of service as NSS Coordinator or DSS would not count as teaching experience.
Priya Varghese challenged the single judge order in a writ appeal before a division bench of Justices AK Jayasankaran Nambiar and Mohammed Nias C P. The division bench allowed her appeal on June 22, 2023, and set aside the single judge order. The bench held that Priya Varghese had sufficient teaching experience as per the UGC Regulations of 2018 and that there was no evidence of any political interference or bias in her selection.
The division bench order came as a relief to Priya Varghese and her supporters, who hailed it as a victory of justice and merit. However, it also drew criticism from some quarters, who accused the court of being influenced by the ruling party and overlooking the irregularities in the selection process.
Net Worth
Priya Varghese’s net worth is not known, but she is likely to have a decent income as an associate professor at a reputed university. Her estimated net worth is around INR 1.5 crores (approx.). She also owns some properties and assets along with her husband, who is a prominent politician.
Some Facts About Priya Varghese
- She is the first woman to be appointed as an associate professor in Malayalam at Kannur University.
- She is the author of a book titled ‘Kerala Samskaram: Oru Vijnanika Padanam’, which is a scientific study of Kerala culture.
- She has published several research papers and articles in various journals and magazines on topics related to Malayalam literature and culture.
- She has received several awards and recognitions for her academic and social achievements, such as the Best Teacher Award from Sree Vivekananda College, the Best NSS Programme Officer Award from Kannur University, and the Best DSS Award from Kannur University.
- She is also a member of various academic and professional bodies, such as the Kerala Sahitya Akademi, the Kerala Bhasha Institute, the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi, and the Indian Association of Teachers of Malayalam.
Summary
Priya Varghese is a well-known and respected figure in the academic and literary circles of Kerala. She is also a controversial and polarizing figure in the political and legal spheres of Kerala. She has faced many challenges and hurdles in her career and personal life, but she has also overcome them with courage and determination. She is an example of a woman who has achieved success and recognition in a male-dominated field.
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