Shashi Panja is a medical practitioner and politician who currently serves as Cabinet Minister for Industries, Commerce & Enterprises and Department of Women and Child Development and Social Welfare of the Government of West Bengal.

Panja born in a Telugu family hailing from Tenali in Andhra Pradesh.

Her father Pillalamari T Krishnaiyya was the Chief Industrial Engineer at Hindustan Motors & had settled in the town of Hindmotor.

She did her MBBS from R. G. Kar Medical College and Hospital at Kolkata, with specialisation in ultrasound and infertility practice.

[1][2][3] Panja was elected a councillor of Kolkata Municipal Corporation in 2010 and was appointed mayoral council member in charge of education.