Know about Shazia Ilmi's journey from anchor to AAP's media face

New Delhi: From a successful journalist to a politician, Shazia Ilmi has proved that there is no cage strong enough to hold back a determined woman. Shazia Ilmi, now profoundly recognized as a fierce leader and supporter of the much controversial Aam Admi Party, hails from Kanpur. She is presently contesting against Raj Babbar from Ghaziabad.She was born in 1970 and is married to an investment banker Sajid Mallik, half-Gujarati Muslim and half-Tamil Iyer.Her family has had to sever ties with the Indian National Congress. Shazia's father was the founder and editor of Siyasat Jadid, a regional daily. Shazia was educated at St Mary's Convent in Kanpur and Nainital. She completed her graduation at St Bede's College, Shimla. Shazia Ilmi always craved for knowledge. She was ambitious even as a young girl. After her graduation, Shazia went on to pursue a degree course in Journalism and Broadcasting from Jamia Millia Islamia and University of Wales, Cardiff. She has also acquired a Diploma in Film production from New York Film Academy. On completion of her education Shazia Ilmi ventured into media and was successful. She was a renowned journalist. A former anchor in Star News (now ABP), Shazia had dedicated 15 years to this industry. Shazia Ilmi has also produced several shows and documentaries addressing gender issues and rights of Indian minority groups. She was a member of International Association of Women in Radio and Television. Shazia left the media industry to join the India Against Corruption movement led by Anna Hazare in 2011 and 2012. Henceforth she became its spokesperson.Arvind Kejriwal had then asked her to sacrifice 3 months of her life for the cause, but she eventually resolute to dedicate her entire life by joining him in forming the Aam Admi Party. Shazia Ilmi is the media face of AAP. Her immense knowledge of media enables her to frame strategies and handle media related affairs with efficiency. In 2013, in a major setback for the newbie party, Shazia Ilmi was defeated by Anil Kumar Sharma in the R K Puram constituency by a margin of 326 votes in the Delhi Elections. Presently Shazia Ilmi is Aam Admi party's National Executive. In Lok Sabha Elections 2014, she will be contesting from Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh to be Member of Parliament. According to Shazia, her election manifesto will to development of Ghaziabad, a city she, feels, is often ignored. As much as this strong lady is admired by the people, she evolves around several controversies. One of them includes a sting operation through which she was discovered accepting money for the party in return of favors. In order to dissolve the blot she decided to quit the party. Yet her comrades restrained her after going through the footage. They termed it as political controversy. Shazia Ilmi is an inspiration for all those women who suffer from an inability to take reign of their right to freedom of expression and liberty. She is greatly admired for her wit and spontaneity under tricky situations.