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Hekani Jakhalu Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 29, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth1975

Age48 Years (as of 2023)

BirthplaceToluvi, Dimapur, Nagaland

ProfessionPolitician, Social Activist, Lawyer

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried

SpouseKevilezo Kense

FamilyChildren: son Vik; daughter Zavi; Father: Suhoi Inashe Jakhalu (deceased); Brother: Akheto Jakhalu

Net worthIn 2023, her net worth was around Rs. 4,25,01,300.

Hekani Jakhalu Biography

Hekani Jakhalu is an Indian lawyer, social activist and NDPP politician from Dimapur, Nagaland. A founder of the NGO YouthNet, she won the Dimapur III seat

Early life and background
Hekani Jakhalu was born in 1975 in Toluvi, Dimapur, Nagaland, and raised in a family with ties to the Indian armed forces; her father, Suhoi Inashe Jakhalu, served as a lieutenant colonel. She attended Holy Cross Higher Secondary School in Dimapur and Bishop Cotton Girls’ School in Bengaluru for her school education.

She completed undergraduate studies in political science at Lady Shri Ram College for Women and later earned a BA in International Studies from American University in 2002. Her legal education includes an LLB from Delhi University and an LLM from the University of San Francisco. Hekani has also undertaken executive education programs at American University and at Harvard University.

Career
Hekani Jakhalu’s early career mixed legal practice and human-rights work. While in the United States she interned with the United Nations Committee on the Status of Women and worked with Amnesty International in San Francisco from 2002 to 2003. Back in India she practised law in New Delhi, representing clients in the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court and becoming a partner in a law firm that handled civil and corporate matters before leaving that partnership in 2005.

After returning to Dimapur she founded YouthNet, an organisation focused on employment and skills development for young people from Northeast India. YouthNet set up employment centres, provided low-cost skill-based training and created follow-up support for placements, including tracking and assistance with accommodation and security for newcomers. The organisation also forged placement relationships with hotel groups such as JW Marriott and Pullman Hotels and Resorts.

YouthNet expanded its activities with initiatives like an entrepreneur development program launched in 2013 called The Entrepreneur, which provided a platform for budding entrepreneurs from the Northeast to pitch ideas. In 2018 the organisation opened Made In Nagaland, a centre to help local producers sell regionally made goods.

Hekani served as chairperson of Young Indians from September 2008 to September 2010. She joined the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) after moving back to Nagaland and entered electoral politics in 2023.

Political career
In the 2023 Nagaland Assembly election Hekani Jakhalu contested the Dimapur III constituency on an NDPP ticket. She won the seat, becoming one of the first two women elected to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly in that election cycle. After the result she cited her long record of social work and expressed an intention to represent minority and non-tribal communities in her constituency.

Public profile
Hekani has been recognised with awards for her work, including the Nari Shakti Puraskar in 2018 and the Prerna Award from Schneider Electric in 2021. She is known for her long-term focus on youth employment and entrepreneurship in the Northeast and for creating institutions that connect local talent with employers and markets.

Personal life
Hekani Jakhalu is married to Kevilezo Kense, a businessman, and the couple have two children, a son named Vik and a daughter named Zavi. She identifies as Christian. Her brother Akheto Jakhalu serves as a pilot in the Indian Air Force. Hekani is reported to enjoy travel and has visited multiple countries.

Latest updates
In 2023 Hekani secured victory in the Dimapur III assembly contest, winning by a margin of 1,356 votes. Asset and income declarations made public that year list movable and immovable assets and provide an estimated net-worth figure for 2023. She continues to be active in constituency work and in programmes that support youth and entrepreneurs in the Northeast.
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Recent Work

Member, Nagaland Legislative Assembly (Dimapur III)

Elected to the Nagaland Assembly in 2023 representing Dimapur III for the NDPP.

2023
Founder, YouthNet

Established and ran an NGO focused on employment, skill development and entrepreneurship for youth from Northeast India; developed placement partnerships and the Made In Nagaland initiative.

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Career Highlights

  1. Founded YouthNet to provide employment and skill training for youth from Northeast India
  2. Worked with Amnesty International in San Francisco and interned at the UN Committee on the Status of Women
  3. Practised law in Delhi, representing clients in the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court
  4. Served as chairperson of Young Indians (2008–2010)
  5. Elected to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly from Dimapur III in 2023
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Net Worth

In 2023, her net worth was around Rs. 4,25,01,300.

Figures are editorial estimates based on publicly available reporting and may change as new information emerges.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Hekani Jakhalu born?

1975

What is Hekani Jakhalu known for?

Politician, Social Activist, Lawyer

What is Hekani Jakhalu’s marital status?

Married

Who is Hekani Jakhalu married to?

Kevilezo Kense

What is Hekani Jakhalu’s net worth?

In 2023, her net worth was around Rs. 4,25,01,300.