Ramesh Pokhriyal “Nishank” is an Indian politician and writer. He was born on 15 July 1959 in Pinani village, Uttarakhand. He is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and has served in important government positions, including Union Minister of Education and Chief Minister of Uttarakhand. Apart from politics, he is also a well-known Hindi writer and poet, with over 100 books to his name.
Early Life and Education
Pokhriyal was born in a simple family in Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand. His parents were Paramanand Pokhriyal and Vishambhari Devi. He studied at Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University, where he completed his Master’s degree (M.A.).
Since childhood, he was interested in writing and literature. Later, he became a teacher at Saraswati Shishu Mandir, a school affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). His interest in education and politics grew from there.
Political Career
1. Start of Political Journey
- In 1991, he was elected as an MLA from Karnaprayag constituency in Uttar Pradesh.
- He won three consecutive elections (1991, 1993, 1996) from Karnaprayag.
- In 1997, he was made the Uttaranchal Development Minister before Uttarakhand became a separate state.
2. Chief Minister of Uttarakhand (2009-2011)
- On 27 June 2009, he became the 5th Chief Minister of Uttarakhand.
- During his tenure, he focused on education, development, and tourism.
- However, due to corruption allegations, BJP leadership asked him to step down in 2011.
3. Member of Parliament (2014-2024)
- In 2014, he was elected as an MP from Haridwar in Lok Sabha elections.
- He served as an MP for two consecutive terms (2014-2024).
4. Union Minister of Education (2019-2021)
- On 30 May 2019, he was appointed as Minister of Human Resource Development (HRD) in Narendra Modi’s government.
- In 2020, the name of the ministry was changed to Ministry of Education, and he continued as Education Minister.
- He played a key role in launching the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which focuses on:
- Mother tongue-based education
- Flexible learning system
- Digital education
- Due to health issues, he resigned from his position in July 2021.
Personal Life
- Pokhriyal married Kusum Kanta Pokhriyal in 1985, and they had three daughters.
- His daughter, Aarushi Nishank, is a classical dancer, actress, and producer.
- His wife passed away in 2012 at the age of 50.
Literary Career
Pokhriyal is a well-known Hindi writer and poet. He has written more than 100 books, including:
- Novels
- Short stories
- Poems
- Essays
Some of his books have been translated into English and other Indian languages. In 2018, a Garhwali film “Major Nirala” was made based on his book.
Awards and Honors
- In 2021, he received the Sahitya Gaurav Samman from the Hindi Writers Guild, Canada.
Controversies
- In 2011, he was removed as Uttarakhand’s Chief Minister due to corruption charges.
- In 2021, he faced criticism for supporting unscientific claims about ancient Indian knowledge in modern science.
- BJP did not give him a ticket for the 2024 elections, and he stepped back from active politics.
Ramesh Pokhriyal “Nishank” has made significant contributions to Indian politics, education, and literature. His work in NEP 2020 brought changes in the education system, and his books have inspired many readers. Despite controversies, he remains an important figure in Indian politics and literature.
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