Born on 12th December, 1968 in Supaul, Bihar, Syed Shahnawaz Hussain was elected in October, 1999, at the young age of 31 years, as Member of Parliament from Kishanganj, Bihar. Under the NDA Government headed by Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee, Mr. Hussain was sworn in as Union Minister of State (MOS) for Food Processing and Industries in October, 1999. Subsequently, Mr. Hussain also held portfolios of MOS, Youth Affairs and Sports; MOS, Human Resource Development and MOS (Independent Charge) Coal.In September, 2001 Mr. Hussain was elevated to the rank of Cabinet Minister and sworn in as Union Minister, Civil Aviation thus earning the distinction of being the youngest Cabinet Minister in the history of independent India. Also held the portfolio of Union Minister, Textiles for a short period before NDA Government demitted office. Mr. Hussain reflects a distinct political personality characteristic of a new breed of young leaders within the BJP. Being suave, intelligent, liberal and totally committed to the problems of the common man are the hallmark of such young leaders . He is married to a Hindu woman whom he had met during his college days.