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Ramesh Pokhriyal

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Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank'
File:Ramesh Pokhriyal.jpg
Minister of Human Resource Development
Incumbent
Assumed office
30 May 2019
Prime MinisterNarendra Modi
Preceded byPrakash Javadekar
Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
Incumbent
Assumed office
16 May 2014
Preceded byHarish Rawat
ConstituencyHaridwar
5th Chief Minister of Uttarakhand
In office
27 June 2009 – 11 September 2011
Preceded byB. C. Khanduri
Succeeded byB. C. Khanduri
Personal details
Born (1959-07-15) 15 July 1959 (age 65)
Pinani, Uttarakhand, India
Political partyBharatiya Janata Party
SpouseKusum Kanta Pokhriyal
Residence(s)Dehradun, Uttarakhand
Alma materHemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University
OccupationPolitician, Poet, Writer
Websitewww.rameshpokhriyalnishank.in

Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' (born 15 July 1959)[1] is an Indian politician and current Union Cabinet Minister of Human Resource Development in Government of India.[2]. He was Chief Minister of Uttarakhand from 2009 to 2011. He was member of 16th lok Sabha and Chairperson, Committee on Government Assurances. He currently represents the Haridwar Parliamentary constituency of Uttarakhand in the 17 Lok Sabha.

On 30 May 2019, he was sworn in as a Cabinet minister in the 2nd Modi Government.[3] On 31 May, 2019, he was allocated the Ministry of Human Resource Development suceeding Prakash Javadekar.

Personal life

He was born in Pinani village, Pauri Garhwal, Uttar Pradesh (now Uttarakhand) to Paramanamd Pokhriyal and Vishambhari Devi.

He Post graduated from Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University, Srinagar, Uttarakhand in M.A.[4]

He was married to Kusum Kanta Pokhriyal. She died on November 11, 2012, after a brief illness. They have three daughters Arushi Nishank, Shreyashi, and Vidushi.[5]

Political career

Pokhriyal was first elected for the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly from Karnaprayag constituency in 1991, and then later in 1993 and 1996 from the same constituency. In 1997 he was appointed for the Uttaranchal Development Minister. He was also Uttarakhand’s Chief Minister (from 2009 to 2011) and is currently a member of Lok Sabha’s 17th session and the Chairman of the Assurance Committee. He is a representative of Haridwar constituency in the Lok Sabha[6] and a senior member of Bhartiya Janta Party.[7] He was the Member of Legislative Assembly of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand for five consecutive terms from 1991 to 2012. He was elected first time in 1991 from Karnaprayag ward for three consecutive terms.

Pokhriyal was appointed Cabinet Minister for Uttaranchal Development in Kalyan Singh’s ministry and in 1999 appointed for Cultural Fulfillment and Endowments in Ram Prakash Gupta’s cabinet.[citation needed] In 2000, after creation of Uttarakhand state, he was appointed for twelve departments including finance, revenue, tax and water divisions for the State of Uttarakhand.[citation needed] In 2007, he was appointed minister for Health and Family Welfare, Language and Science departments in Uttarakhand. In 2009, he became the youngest Chief Minister of Uttarakhand.[citation needed] In 2012, he was elected MLA for Vidhan Sabha from Doiwala, Dehradun constituency. In 2014, he resigned from Doiwala, and elected from Haridwar for Lok Sabha.[8]

In May 2019, he became the Cabinet Minister of Human Resource Development of India.[9]

Positions held

Year Description
1991 Elected to 11th Uttar Pradesh Assembly from Karnaprayag (1st term)
1993 Elected to 12th Uttar Pradesh Assembly from Karnaprayag (2nd term)
1996 Elected to 13th Uttar Pradesh Assembly from Karnaprayag (3rd term)
  • Cabinet Minister, Uttaranchal Development (1997–1999)
  • Cabinet Minister, Culture & Religious Affairs (1999–2000)
2000 Member of Interim Uttarakhand Assembly from Karnaprayag
  • Cabinet Minister, Finance, Rural Development, Health Education, Planning, Drinking Water, Revenue (2000–2002)
2007 Elected to 2nd Uttarakhand Assembly from Thalisain (1st term)
  • Cabinet Minister, Finance, Rural Development, Health Education, Planning, Drinking Water, Revenue (2007–2009)
2009 Chief Minister of Uttarakhand
2014 Elected to 16th Lok Sabha from Haridwar
  • Chairperson, Committee on Government Assurances
  • Member, Standing Committee on Rural Development
  • Member, Consultative Committee, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
2019 Re- Elected to 17th Lok Sabha from Haridwar
  • Union Cabinet Minister for Human Resource Development

Literary career

Pokhriyal has been writing poems and stories since childhood. His first collection "Samarpan" was published in 1983. He has authored various anthologies and novels, as well as children's literature and personal development books.

Published works

  • Samarpan (Poems)1983
  • Navankur (Poems) 1984
  • Mujhe Vidhata Banna Hai (Poems) 1985
  • Tum Bhi Mere Saath Chalo (Poems) 1986
  • Roshni Ki Ek Kiran (Stories) 1986
  • Desh Ham Jalne Na Denge (Poems) 1988
  • Jeevanpath Mein (Poems) 1989
  • Bas Ek Hi Ichchaa (Stories) 1989
  • Matribhoomi Ke Liye (Poems) 1992
  • Kya Nahin Ho Sakta (Stories) 1993

Works translated in other languages

  • Khare Hue Prashna (Stories) En Kelvikku Ennabathil (Tamil)
  • Ae Watan Tere Liye (Poems) Tayanade Unakkad (Tamil)
  • Ae Watan Tere Liye (Poems) Janmabhoomi (Telugu)
  • Bheer Sakshi Hai (Stories) The Crowd Bears Witness (English)
  • Bas Ek Hi Ichchha (Stories) Nur Ein Wunsch (German)
  • Khare Hue Prashna (Stories) Prashnankit (Marathi)
  • Khare Hue Prashna (Stories) Esperances Et Verites (French)
  • Kya Nahin Ho Sakta (Stories) Sangle Shakya Aahe (Marathi)
  • Bas Ek Hi Ichchha (Stories) Bas Ek Hi Ichchha (Garhwali)
  • Tum Aur Main (Stories) Du Und Ich (German)

Controversy

Pokhriyal is a staunch believer in Astrology, claiming that "Astrology (Jyotish) is the number one science for the entire world". Talking about Lord Ganesha, he said that knowledge to transplant a severed head existed in India. He has also claimed that Sage Kanada had conducted a nuclear test lakhs of years ago (even though he lived only about 2 thousand years ago).[10][11] His two different date of birth was also questioned to which he replied that the discrepancy is due to Hindu horoscope.[12]

In the 90s, the Open International University (OIU) of Colombo, Sri Lanka conferred a D.Litt. for his contribution in literature. And then, a few years ago he received another D.Litt. degree from the same university for contributions in the field of science. However, OIU is neither registered as a foreign university nor as a domestic university in Sri Lanka, as confirmed by the University Grants Commission of Sri Lanka. [13]

Recently, he was in news for his claims in Lok Sabha that science is a dwarf in front of astrology and that astrology should be promoted. He has also made claims that ancient India had knowledge about nuclear tests and head transplants.[14]

Awards and honours

  • The Republic of Mauritius awarded Pokhriyal with a Gopio International Award for his literary, social, and political contributions.[15]
  • Awarded honorary Ph.D. (DFC) and D.Litt. by Open International University, Colombo. However, the University Grants Commission of Sri Lanka confirmed that OIU is neither registered as a foreign university nor as a domestic university in Sri Lanka.[16]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Profile: Steady innings for Pokhriyal in state politics". The Times of India. 24 June 2009. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
  2. ^ [1]
  3. ^ DehradunMay 31, Press Trust of India; May 31, 2019UPDATED:; Ist, 2019 00:52. "Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank: Poet-politician gets a ministerial berth | What you need to know". India Today. Retrieved 31 May 2019. {{cite web}}: |first3= has numeric name (help)CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ https://www.india.gov.in/my-government/indian-parliament/ramesh-pokhriyal-nishank
  5. ^ Former CM Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank’s Wife Died
  6. ^ http://164.100.47.194/Loksabha/Members/MemberBioprofile.aspx?mpsno=4761
  7. ^ http://www.bjp.org/know-your-candidate/candidate/dr-ramesh-pokhriyal-nishank
  8. ^ http://164.100.47.194/Loksabha/Members/MemberBioprofile.aspx?mpsno=4761&lastls=16
  9. ^ [2]
  10. ^ https://www.indiatoday.in/india/north/story/ramesh-pokhriyal-nishank-astrology-no.-1-science-bjp-mp-229738-2014-12-04
  11. ^ https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/astrology-is-science-says-bjp-mp-nishank/article10929912.ece
  12. ^ "'Because of Hindu Horoscope': HRD Minister's Clarification Over Row on Different Dates of Birth".
  13. ^ https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/india/story/fake-degree-or-not-pm-narendra-modi-trusts-this-bjp-leader-to-be-hrd-minister-1539880-2019-06-01
  14. ^ "Astrology is above science, says BJP MP Nishank".
  15. ^ http://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/20100211/dun.htm#8
  16. ^ https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/india/story/fake-degree-or-not-pm-narendra-modi-trusts-this-bjp-leader-to-be-hrd-minister-1539880-2019-06-01
Lok Sabha
Preceded by Member of Parliament
for Haridwar
2014 – present 		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Chief Minister of Uttarakhand
27 June 2009 – 10 September 2011 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Union Minister of Human Resource Development
31 May 2019 – present 		Succeeded by
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