A trained pilot, Dinesh Trivedi has a challenging task ahead in putting the Railways on track after his boss and Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee often came under attack for alleged neglect of this key ministry hit by train accidents in the recent days.

Known to be erudite and affable, Trivedi (61) has been with Banerjee since the inception of Trinamool Congress and was rewarded with a Cabinet berth for his loyalty to her.

Elevated from the post of minister of state for health and family welfare, Trivedi steps into the shoes of Banerjee, who held the railway ministry before becoming the chief minister of West Bengal in May.

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Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had been holding the Railways portfolio after Mamata's exit from the Centre.

Trivedi has been actively fighting criminalisation in politics. He has filed several public interest litigations, including Vohra Committee (The Right to Information Act is a fall out of his petition on Vohra Committee).

He is also actively involved in consumer protection movement.

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Trivedi had also reportedly offered to resign in a letter written to Anna Hazare within first few hours of his fast for a strong Lok Pal bill at Jantar Mantar on April 5.

Trivedi had told the social activist that he is ready to do anything to strengthen his fight against corruption. He has been associated with Hazare and Arvind Kejriwal since many years.

An aviation buff, Trivedi holds a pilot licence. He did his flying training in India and advance training in the United States.

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Elected to the Rajya Sabha twice, Trivedi defeated CPI(M) heavyweight Tarit Topdar from Barackpur constituency in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections. He entered the Upper House on January 1, 1990.

A former Congressman who switched over to the V P Singh-led Janata Dal, he did his BCom from St Xaviers' College, Calcutta University and MBA from Univesity of Texas.

He was actively involved in students' affairs in India and abroad, besides holding the post of president of International Students Association, University of Texas.