Ramesh Pokhriyal: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Former Indian Education Minister (b. 1959)}}
{{Short description|5th Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, India}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2015}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Fan POV|date=October 2021}}
{{COI|date=October 2021}}
}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Ramesh Pokhriyal
| name                = Ramesh Pokhriyal
Line 8: Line 12:
| birth_place        = [[Pauri Garhwal|Pinani]], [[Uttarakhand]], India
| birth_place        = [[Pauri Garhwal|Pinani]], [[Uttarakhand]], India
| residence          = [[Dehradun]], [[Uttarakhand]]
| residence          = [[Dehradun]], [[Uttarakhand]]
| office1            = [[Minister of Education (India)|Union Minister of Education]]  
| office1            = [[Minister of Education (India)|Union Minister of Education]]
|term_start1         = {{Start date|2020|07|29|df=yes}}
| term_start1         = {{Start date|2020|07|29|df=yes}}
|term_end1     = 7 July 2021 <ref name="Pokhriyal relieved from his post">{{citation |title= Pokhriyal relieved from his post|url=https://www.news18.com/amp/news/education-career/education-minister-ramesh-pokhriyal-nishank-resigns-sources-3935288.html|work=[[News 18]] |date=7 July 2021 }}</ref>  
| term_end1           = {{End date|2021|07|07|df=yes}}<ref name="Pokhriyal relieved from his post">{{citation |title= Pokhriyal relieved from his post|url=https://www.news18.com/news/education-career/education-minister-ramesh-pokhriyal-nishank-resigns-sources-3935288.html|work=[[News18]] |date=7 July 2021 }}</ref>
|predecessor1         = ''Himself as [[Minister of Human Resource Development]]''
| predecessor1       = ''Himself as [[Minister of Human Resource Development]]''
|successor1 = [[Dharmendra Pradhan]]
| successor1         = [[Dharmendra Pradhan]]
|primeminister1       = [[Narendra Modi]]
| primeminister1     = [[Narendra Modi]]
| office2            = [[Minister of Human Resource Development]]
| office2            = [[Minister of Human Resource Development]]
| term_start2        = {{Start date|2019|05|30|df=yes}}
| term_start2        = {{Start date|2019|05|30|df=yes}}
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| office3            = [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha]]
| office3            = [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha]]
| term_start3        = {{Start date|2014|05|16|df=yes}}
| term_start3        = {{Start date|2014|05|16|df=yes}}
| term_end3          = {{End date|2024|06|04|df=yes}}
| constituency3      = [[Haridwar (Lok Sabha constituency)|Haridwar]]
| constituency3      = [[Haridwar (Lok Sabha constituency)|Haridwar]]
| predecessor3        = [[Harish Rawat]]
| predecessor3        = [[Harish Rawat]]
| successor3          = [[Trivendra Singh Rawat]]
| order4              = 5th
| order4              = 5th
| office4            = Chief Minister of Uttarakhand
| office4            = Chief Minister of Uttarakhand
| governor4          = [[Banwari Lal Joshi]]<br />[[Margaret Alva]]
| term_start4        = {{Start date|2009|06|27|df=yes}}
| term_start4        = {{Start date|2009|06|27|df=yes}}
| term_end4          = {{End date|2011|09|11|df=yes}}
| term_end4          = {{End date|2011|09|11|df=yes}}
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| party              = [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]
| party              = [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]
| spouse              = {{marriage|Kusum Kanta Pokhriyal|1985|2012|reason=died}}
| spouse              = {{marriage|Kusum Kanta Pokhriyal|1985|2012|reason=died}}
| children            = 3 (incl. [[Arushi Nishank Pant]])
| children            = 3
| alma_mater          = [[Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University]]
| alma_mater          = [[Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University]]
| year                =  
| year                =  
| source              =  
| source              =  
}}
}}
'''Ramesh Pokhriyal''' (born 15 July 1959),<ref name=new18/> known by his [[pen name]] '''Nishank''' is an Indian politician who was appointed on 31 May 2019 to serve as Minister of Human Resource Development and as of July 2020, following the ministry's name change, his title was changed to [[Ministry of Education (India)|Minister of Education]].<ref name="TH073120">{{cite news |author1=Priscilla Jebaraj |author2=Nistula Hebbar |title=Rigorous consultations done before framing new National Education Policy, says Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/rigorous-consultations-done-before-framing-new-national-education-policy-says-ramesh-pokhriyal-nishank/article32243060.ece |access-date=31 July 2020 |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=31 July 2020}}</ref> 
'''Ramesh Pokhriyal''' "'''Nishank'''" (born 15 July 1959)<ref name="new18">{{Cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/have-different-birth-dates-because-of-hindu-horoscope-hrd-ministers-clarification-on-fake-degree-row-2168971.html|title='Because of Hindu Horoscope': HRD Minister's Clarification Over Row on Different Dates of Birth|website=News18|date=2 June 2019}}</ref> is an Indian politician from [[Bharatiya Janata Party|Bhartiya Janta Party]]. He served as the Human Resource Development Minister in the Union Government of India starting from 31 May 2019. The name of his ministry was changed to Education Ministry in July 2020, following the ministry's name change, his title was changed to [[Ministry of Education (India)|Minister of Education]].<ref name="TH073120">{{cite news |author1=Priscilla Jebaraj |author2=Nistula Hebbar |title=Rigorous consultations done before framing new National Education Policy, says Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/rigorous-consultations-done-before-framing-new-national-education-policy-says-ramesh-pokhriyal-nishank/article32243060.ece |access-date=31 July 2020 |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=31 July 2020}}</ref>
 
He was asked to resign from his position in July 2021, briefly before a cabinet shuffle in which several high ranking ministers were sacked citing poor performance.<ref name="Pokhriyal relieved from his post">{{citation |title= Pokhriyal relieved from his post|url=https://www.news18.com/amp/news/education-career/education-minister-ramesh-pokhriyal-nishank-resigns-sources-3935288.html|work=[[News 18]] |date=7 July 2021 }}</ref> He represents the [[Haridwar (Lok Sabha constituency)|Haridwar]] Parliamentary constituency of [[Uttarakhand]] in the [[17th Lok Sabha|17th]] [[Lok Sabha]].<ref name=HY19>{{cite news |title=Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank gets HRD ministry in PM Modi's new cabinet |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/ramesh-pokhriyal-nishank-gets-hrd-ministry/story-ed7wHbLgpyE1lGI8pVQbKP.html |access-date=30 June 2019 |work=[[Hindustan Times]] |date=31 May 2019 |language=en}}</ref>


He was the [[List of Chief Ministers of Uttarakhand|5th Chief Minister of Uttarakhand]] from 2009 to 2011. He was member of the [[16th Lok Sabha]] and chairperson, Committee on Government Assurances.
He represented the [[Haridwar (Lok Sabha constituency)|Haridwar]] Parliamentary constituency of [[Uttarakhand]] in the [[17th Lok Sabha|17th]] [[Lok Sabha]].<ref name=HY19>{{cite news |title=Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank gets HRD ministry in PM Modi's new cabinet |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/ramesh-pokhriyal-nishank-gets-hrd-ministry/story-ed7wHbLgpyE1lGI8pVQbKP.html |access-date=30 June 2019 |work=[[Hindustan Times]] |date=31 May 2019 |language=en}}</ref>
He was the [[List of Chief Ministers of Uttarakhand|5th Chief Minister of Uttarakhand]] from 2009 to 2011. Due to corruption allegations he was asked to resign from his post by the BJP Central Leadership.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Joshi |first=Poornima |date=21 November 2010 |title=Uttarakhand CM at centre of two scams |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/north/story/uttarakhand-cm-at-centre-of-two-scams-85904-2010-11-20 |magazine=India Today |access-date=27 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Joshi |first=Poornima |date=11 September 2011 |title=Nishank fired after drama to delay exit flops |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/north/story/ramesh-pokhriyal-nishank-quits-as-uttarakhand-chief-minister-140837-2011-09-10 |magazine=India Today |access-date=27 March 2024}}</ref>


== Personal life ==
== Personal life ==
Pokhriyal was born in Pinani village, [[Pauri Garhwal district|Pauri Garhwal]], [[Uttarakhand]] to Paramanand Pokhriyal and Vishambhari Devi. He received an M.A. degree from [[Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.india.gov.in/my-government/indian-parliament/ramesh-pokhriyal-nishank|title=Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank &#124; National Portal of India|website=www.india.gov.in|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150627150702/https://www.india.gov.in/my-government/indian-parliament/ramesh-pokhriyal-nishank|archive-date=27 June 2015}}</ref><ref name="Wire">{{cite news |last1=Bhatnagar |first1=Gaurav Vivek |title=HRD Minister Pokhriyal Under Fire for Using 'Doctor' Prefix Without Real PhD |url=https://thewire.in/politics/ramesh-pokhriyal-nishank-narendra-modi-bjp-education-qualification |access-date=12 September 2019 |publisher=[[The Wire (India)|The Wire]] |date=29 August 2019}}</ref><ref name="MyNeta">{{cite web |title=Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank(Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP)):Constituency- Haridwar (Uttarakhand) - Affidavit Information of Candidate |url=http://myneta.info/LokSabha2019/candidate.php?candidate_id=5446 |website=myneta.info |access-date=14 September 2019}}</ref>
Pokhriyal was born in Pinani village, [[Pauri Garhwal district|Pauri Garhwal]], [[Uttarakhand]] to Paramanand Pokhriyal and Vishambhari Devi. He received an M.A. degree from [[Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.india.gov.in/my-government/indian-parliament/ramesh-pokhriyal-nishank|title=Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank &#124; National Portal of India|website=www.india.gov.in|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150627150702/https://www.india.gov.in/my-government/indian-parliament/ramesh-pokhriyal-nishank|archive-date=27 June 2015}}</ref><ref name="Wire">{{cite news |last1=Bhatnagar |first1=Gaurav Vivek |title=HRD Minister Pokhriyal Under Fire for Using 'Doctor' Prefix Without Real PhD |url=https://thewire.in/politics/ramesh-pokhriyal-nishank-narendra-modi-bjp-education-qualification |access-date=12 September 2019 |publisher=[[The Wire (India)|The Wire]] |date=29 August 2019}}</ref><ref name="MyNeta">{{cite web |title=Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank (Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP)):Constituency- Haridwar (Uttarakhand) - Affidavit Information of Candidate |url=http://myneta.info/LokSabha2019/candidate.php?candidate_id=5446 |website=myneta.info |access-date=14 September 2019}}</ref>


Pokhriyal married Kusum Kanta Pokhriyal on 7 May 1985, with whom he has three daughters.<ref name="LokSabhaProfile"/> One of their daughters, [[Arushi Nishank Pant]] is a classical dancer.<ref>{{cite news |title=स्पर्श गंगा अभियानः एक साल में लगाए जाएंगे 10 लाख पौधे, दिल्ली से शुरु हुआ महाअभियान |url=https://hindi.news18.com/news/uttarakhand/dehradun-sparsh-ganga-mission-10-lakh-trees-will-be-planted-in-an-year-mega-mission-starts-from-delhi-uttarakhand-news-ukrd-2478154.html |access-date=29 October 2019 |work=News18 India |date=2 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Arushi Nishank featured in Forbes Middle East |url=https://www.dailypioneer.com/2018/state-editions/arushi-nishank-featured-in-forbes-middle-east.html |access-date=22 November 2019 |work=The Pioneer |date=26 October 2018 |language=en}}</ref> His wife died on 11 November 2012 in Dehradun at the age of 50.<ref>{{cite news |title=Former Uttarakhand CM's wife dies |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/former-uttarakhand-cm-s-wife-dies/story-qAP8ijtN7A0rUS46gO86WM.html |access-date=30 August 2019 |work=Hindustan Times |date=11 November 2012 |language=en}}</ref>
Pokhriyal married Kusum Kanta Pokhriyal on 7 May 1985, with whom he has three daughters.<ref name="LokSabhaProfile"/> One of their daughters, Aarushi Nishank is a classical dancer,<ref>{{cite news |title=स्पर्श गंगा अभियानः एक साल में लगाए जाएंगे 10 लाख पौधे, दिल्ली से शुरु हुआ महाअभियान |url=https://hindi.news18.com/news/uttarakhand/dehradun-sparsh-ganga-mission-10-lakh-trees-will-be-planted-in-an-year-mega-mission-starts-from-delhi-uttarakhand-news-ukrd-2478154.html |access-date=29 October 2019 |work=News18 India |date=2 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Arushi Nishank featured in Forbes Middle East |url=https://www.dailypioneer.com/2018/state-editions/arushi-nishank-featured-in-forbes-middle-east.html |access-date=22 November 2019 |work=The Pioneer |date=26 October 2018 |language=en}}</ref> actress, producer and model. His wife died on 11 November 2012 in Dehradun at the age of 50.<ref>{{cite news |title=Former Uttarakhand CM's wife dies |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/former-uttarakhand-cm-s-wife-dies/story-qAP8ijtN7A0rUS46gO86WM.html |access-date=30 August 2019 |work=Hindustan Times |date=11 November 2012 |language=en}}</ref>


==Political career==
==Political career==
[[File:Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ taking charge as the Union Minister for Human Resource Development, in New Delhi on May 31, 2019.jpg|thumb|Pokhriyal taking charge as the Union Minister for Human Resource Development (now Education), in New Delhi on 31 May 2019.]]
[[File:Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ taking charge as the Union Minister for Human Resource Development, in New Delhi on May 31, 2019.jpg|thumb|Pokhriyal taking charge as the Union Minister for Human Resource Development (now Education), in New Delhi on 31 May 2019.]]
Pokhriyal started his career as a teacher in [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]]-affiliated Saraswati Shishu Mandir.<ref name="auto1">{{cite web |title=Former Teacher at RSS-affiliated School, Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank Now Human Resource Development Minister |url=https://www.news18.com/news/politics/former-teacher-at-rss-affiliate-school-ramesh-pokhriyal-nishank-now-human-resource-development-minister-2166537.html |work=Network 18 |date=31 May 2019 |access-date=9 January 2020}}</ref> He was first elected to public office in the erstwhile undivided [[Uttar Pradesh]] as a member of the [[Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly]] from [[Karnaprayag]] constituency in 1991, defeating a five-time Congress MLA.<ref name="auto1"/> He was re-elected in 1993 and 1996 from the same constituency. In 1997 he was appointed to the position of Uttaranchal development minister. He was also [[Pokhriyal ministry|Uttarakhand's chief minister (from 2009 to 2011)]] and served as a member of the [[Lok Sabha]]'s 17th session and the chairman of the Assurance Committee. He is a representative of [[Haridwar (Lok Sabha constituency)|Haridwar]] constituency in the Lok Sabha.<ref name="LokSabhaProfile">{{Cite web|url=http://164.100.47.194/Loksabha/Members/MemberBioprofile.aspx?mpsno=4761|title=Members : Lok Sabha|website=164.100.47.194}}</ref> He was the member of the Legislative Assembly of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand for five consecutive terms from 1991 to 2012. He was first elected for the [[Karnaprayag]] ward in 1991 and served for three consecutive terms. In 2014, he resigned from the [[Doiwala (Uttarakhand Assembly constituency)|Doiwala]], and was elected for [[Haridwar (Lok Sabha constituency)|Haridwar]] the Lok Sabha.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://164.100.47.194/Loksabha/Members/MemberBioprofile.aspx?mpsno=4761&lastls=16|title=Members : Lok Sabha|website=164.100.47.194}}</ref> On 30 May 2019, he was sworn in as Minister of Human Resource Development in the [[Second Modi ministry|2nd Modi Government]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/fyi/story/ramesh-pokhriyal-nishank-union-minister-1539002-2019-05-31|title=Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank: Poet-politician gets a ministerial berth {{!}} What you need to know|last1=DehradunMay 31|first1=Press Trust of India|last2=May 31|first2=2019UPDATED|website=India Today|language=en|access-date=31 May 2019|last3=Ist|first3=2019 00:52}}</ref><ref name=HY19/> Following the ministry's name change to the [[Ministry of Education (India)]] in July 2020, he served under the title of Minister of Education, until when he resigned in July 2021 reportedly having given health reasons.<ref name="TH073120"/>
Pokhriyal started his career as a teacher in [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]]-affiliated Saraswati Shishu Mandir.<ref name="auto1">{{cite web |title=Former Teacher at RSS-affiliated School, Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank Now Human Resource Development Minister |url=https://www.news18.com/news/politics/former-teacher-at-rss-affiliate-school-ramesh-pokhriyal-nishank-now-human-resource-development-minister-2166537.html |work=Network 18 |date=31 May 2019 |access-date=9 January 2020}}</ref> He was first elected to public office in the erstwhile undivided [[Uttar Pradesh]] as a member of the [[Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly]] from [[Karnaprayag Assembly constituency|Karnaprayag]] constituency in [[1991 Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly election|1991]], defeating a five-time Congress MLA.<ref name="auto1"/> He was re-elected in [[1993 Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly election|1993]] and [[1996 Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly election|1996]] from the same constituency. In 1997 he was appointed to the position of Uttaranchal development minister. He contested [[2002 Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly election|2002]] election from [[Thalisain Assembly constituency|Thalisain]] and lost, but in [[2007 Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly election|2007]] election won the seat. He was also [[Pokhriyal ministry|Uttarakhand's chief minister (from 2009 to 2011)]]. In [[2012 Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly election|2012]] election he changed his seat to [[Doiwala Assembly constituency|Doiwala]] and Won. In [[2014 Indian general election|2014]] and [[2019 Indian general election|2019]] election he won and represented as [[Haridwar Lok Sabha constituency|Haridwar]] MP and the chairman of the Assurance Committee.<ref name="LokSabhaProfile">{{Cite web|url=http://164.100.47.194/Loksabha/Members/MemberBioprofile.aspx?mpsno=4761|title=Members : Lok Sabha|website=164.100.47.194}}</ref> He was the member of the Legislative Assembly of Uttar Pradesh for three consecutive terms from 1991 to 2002 and member of the Legislative Assembly of Uttarakhand from 2007 to 2014 for two consecutive terms.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://164.100.47.194/Loksabha/Members/MemberBioprofile.aspx?mpsno=4761&lastls=16|title=Members : Lok Sabha|website=164.100.47.194}}</ref> On 30 May 2019, he was sworn in as [[Minister of Human Resource Development]] in the [[Second Modi ministry|2nd Modi Government]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/fyi/story/ramesh-pokhriyal-nishank-union-minister-1539002-2019-05-31|title=Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank: Poet-politician gets a ministerial berth {{!}} What you need to know|date=31 May 2019|website=India Today|language=en|access-date=31 May 2019}}</ref><ref name=HY19/> Following the ministry's name change to the [[Ministry of Education (India)]] in July 2020, he served under the title of Minister of Education.<ref name="TH073120"/>


== Literary career ==
== Literary career ==
Pokhriyal has written novels, stories and poems. He has authored 44 books in [[Hindi]], some of which have been translated to English as well as other Indian languages. Most of his books were published by two private publishers – Vani Prakashan and Diamond Books, and many were published between 2009 and 2011, when he was chief minister of Uttarakhand.
Pokhriyal has written novels, stories and poems. He has authored more than 100 books in [[Hindi]], some of which have been translated to English as well as other Indian languages. Most of his books were published by two private publishers – [[Vani Prakashan]] and Diamond Books, and many were published between 2009 and 2011, when he was chief minister of Uttarakhand.
 
One of his works was adapted into the [[Garhwali language|Garhwali]] film ''Major Nirala'', which was produced by his daughter [[Arushi Nishank | Arushi Nishank Pant]] and released in 2018.<ref name=":film">{{Cite web|title=उत्तराखंडी फिल्म 'मेजर निराला' का प्रोमो दिल्ली में रिलीज, भाजपा सांसद ने लिखी है पूरी कहानी|trans-title=Uttrakhand's Film 'Major Nirala' 's promo released in Delhi, BJP MP had written the script.|url=https://www.amarujala.com/dehradun/uttarakhand-movie-major-nirala-promo-released-in-delhi|date=13 May 2018|access-date=16 August 2020|work=Amar Ujala|language=hi}}</ref>
 
He is honoured by Hindi Writers Guild, Canada in 2021 and was conferred with the "Sahitya Gaurav Samman".<ref>{{Cite news|others=PTI|date=2021-01-17|title=Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal honoured by Canada's Hindi Writers Guild|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/union-education-minister-ramesh-pokhriyal-honoured-by-canadas-hindi-writers-guild/article33590473.ece|access-date=2021-07-09|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
 
== Controversies ==
In 2010 while Nishank was the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, he came under the scanner for a land scam.<ref>{{Cite news|date=26 June 2010 |first=Raju |last=Gusain |title=Land scam stink in Uttarakhand |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/north/story/land-scam-stink-in-uttarakhand-77405-2010-06-26|access-date=15 November 2020|work=India Today|language=en}}</ref> In 2011, he gave in his resignation prompted by a series of alleged land scams against his government.<ref>{{Cite news|others=PTI|date=11 September 2011|title=Nishank resigns as Uttarakhand Chief Minister|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/nishank-resigns-as-uttarakhand-chief-minister/article2444474.ece|access-date=15 November 2020|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
 
In 2014, Pokhriyal caused a controversy when he made a statement in the parliament claiming that astrology should be promoted. He said "Astrology is the biggest science. It is in fact above science. We should promote it". Talking about [[Ganesha|Lord Ganesha]], he said that ancient Indians had the knowledge to transplant a severed head.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/astrology-is-science-says-bjp-mp-nishank/article10929912.ece|title=Astrology is above science, says BJP MP Nishank|date=4 December 2014|work=The Hindu|access-date=28 July 2019|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> He has also claimed that [[Kanada (philosopher)|Sage Kanada]] had conducted a nuclear test [[lakh]]s of years ago (even though according to historical evidence, the sage is likely to have lived only about two thousand years ago).<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/north/story/ramesh-pokhriyal-nishank-astrology-no.-1-science-bjp-mp-229738-2014-12-04|title=Astrology is No. 1 science for the entire world: BJP MP Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank to Parliament |date=4 December 2014 |work=India Today |access-date=2 December 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/astrology-is-science-says-bjp-mp-nishank/article10929912.ece|title=Astrology is above science, says BJP MP Nishank|date=4 December 2014|via=www.thehindu.com|newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=2 December 2020}}</ref> Pokhriyal has listed two different dates of birth on official documents, a discrepancy that he attributed to the [[Hindu astrology|Hindu horoscope]].<ref name="new18">{{Cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/have-different-birth-dates-because-of-hindu-horoscope-hrd-ministers-clarification-on-fake-degree-row-2168971.html|title='Because of Hindu Horoscope': HRD Minister's Clarification Over Row on Different Dates of Birth|website=News18|date=2 June 2019}}</ref>
 
In the 1990s, the Open International University for Complementary Medicines of [[Colombo]], [[Sri Lanka]] conferred a D.Litt. for his contribution in literature. He subsequently received another D.Litt. degree from the same institution 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 (Sri Lanka)|University Grants Commission of Sri Lanka]].<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=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|title=Fake degree or not, PM Narendra Modi trusts this BJP leader to be HRD minister|website=India Today}}</ref> In August 2019, an appeal was filed in President [[Ram Nath Kovind]]’s office for Ramesh Pokhriyal's disqualification as minister for citing a ‘fake’ doctorate degree.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/verma-writes-to-prez-urging-to-term-nishanks-oath-null-and-void/articleshow/70882460.cms|title=Maneesh Verma writes to President urging to term Nishank's oath null and void|website=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theprint.in/india/hrd-minister-pokhriyal-has-many-phds-his-office-says-slams-complaint-against-his-degree/284603/|title=HRD minister Pokhriyal has many PhDs, his office says & slams complaint against his degree|first=Kritika|last=Sharma|date=31 August 2019|access-date=9 January 2020}}</ref> Pokhriyal's claim to have received an M.A. degree from [[Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University]] have also been called into question.<ref name="Wire"/>


In 2019, after being appointed as the HRD Minister, Pokhriyal issued a directive saying that all the files and note sheets forwarded to him must be in Hindi. This created controversy with ministry officials, as not all of them had the level of proficiency in Hindi needed to prepare notes in that language, and the norm until then had been to prepare all official notes in English. Even though the government had traditionally encouraged officials to have a working knowledge of Hindi, existing rules did not make it compulsory for officials to be highly proficient in Hindi.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/hrd-minister-ramesh-pokhriyal-nishank-wants-all-his-note-sheets-in-hindi/cid/1694104|title=HRD minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank wants all his note sheets in Hindi|date=9 July 2019|website=www.telegraphindia.com|language=en|access-date=28 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/society/is-hindi-going-the-german-way/article28721470.ece|title=Is Hindi going the German way?|last=Joshi|first=Ruchir|date=27 July 2019|work=The Hindu|access-date=28 July 2019|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
One of his works was adapted into the [[Garhwali language|Garhwali]] film ''Major Nirala'', which was produced by his daughter  Aarushi Nishank and released in 2018.<ref name=":film">{{Cite web|title=उत्तराखंडी फिल्म 'मेजर निराला' का प्रोमो दिल्ली में रिलीज, भाजपा सांसद ने लिखी है पूरी कहानी|trans-title=Uttrakhand's Film 'Major Nirala' 's promo released in Delhi, BJP MP had written the script.|url=https://www.amarujala.com/dehradun/uttarakhand-movie-major-nirala-promo-released-in-delhi|date=13 May 2018|access-date=16 August 2020|work=Amar Ujala|language=hi}}</ref>


In August 2019 at the 57th convocation ceremony of [[IIT Bombay]], Pokhriyal falsely claimed that the U.S. space agency [[NASA]] had acknowledged that talking computers could be developed only by employing [[Sanskrit]], which he described as "the world's only scientific language".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/nasa-says-talking-computers-may-become-reality-due-to-sanskrit-ramesh-pokhriyal-1579635-2019-08-11|title=Nasa says talking computers may become reality due to Sanskrit: BJP leader|last=Asian News International|date=11 August 2019|work=India Today|access-date=2 December 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://scroll.in/article/750526/how-sanskrit-came-to-be-considered-the-most-suitable-language-for-computer-software|title=How Sanskrit came to be considered the most suitable language for computer software|first=Dilip|last=D’Souza|work=Scroll.in}}</ref> At the same function, he said that [[Charaka]], hailed as one of the principal contributors of Ayurveda, was the first person who researched and discovered atoms and molecules, when in reality, it was 6th century BCE philosopher [[Kanada (philosopher)|Kanada]] who developed the foundations of an atomistic approach to physics and philosophy in the Sanskrit text [[Vaiśeṣika Sūtra]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=11 August 2019|title=मानव संसाधन मंत्री निशंक का दावा- चरक ऋषि ने की थी परमाणु की खोज|trans-title=MHRD Nishank claims : Sage Charaka discovered atoms|url=https://aajtak.intoday.in/story/hrd-minister-ramesh-pokhriyal-nishank-charak-rishi-atoms-molecules-1-1109727.html|access-date=9 August 2020 |work=aajtak.intoday.in|publisher=Aaj Tak|location=New Delhi|language=hi}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Tharoor|first=Sashi|author-link=Shashi Tharoor|date=25 January 2018|title=Shashi Tharoor on how Hindutva discredits science and distorts history|url=https://www.dailyo.in/arts/book-extract-hinduism-science-history-mughals-hindutva-shashi-tharoor-hindutvavadis/story/1/21964.html|website=Dailyo}}</ref>
He is honoured by Hindi Writers Guild, Canada in 2021 and was conferred with the "Sahitya Gaurav Samman".<ref>{{Cite news|agency=PTI|date=17 January 2021|title=Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal honoured by Canada's Hindi Writers Guild|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/union-education-minister-ramesh-pokhriyal-honoured-by-canadas-hindi-writers-guild/article33590473.ece|access-date=9 July 2021|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons}}
{{Commons}}
* {{Official website|url=https://www.india.gov.in/my-government/indian-parliament/ramesh-pokhriyal-nishank|name=Profile at [[Government of India]] website}}
* {{Official website|url=https://www.india.gov.in/my-government/indian-parliament/ramesh-pokhriyal-nishank|name=Profile at Government of India website}}
* [https://loksabha.nic.in/Members/MemberBioprofile.aspx?mpsno=4761&lastls=17 Official biographical sketch in Parliament of India website]


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| title = [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha|Member of Parliament]]<br />for [[Haridwar (Lok Sabha constituency)|Haridwar]]
| title = [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha|Member of Parliament]]<br />for [[Haridwar (Lok Sabha constituency)|Haridwar]]
| years = 2014 – present
| years = 2014 – 2024
}}
}}
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| after = ''[[Incumbent]]''
| after = [[Trivendra Singh Rawat]]
}}
}}
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{{s-ttl
| title = [[Ministry of Education (India)|Minister of Education]]
| title = [[Ministry of Education (India)|Minister of Education]]
| years = 31 May 2019 – present
| years = 31 May 2019 – 7 July 2021
}}
}}
{{s-aft
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| after = ''[[Incumbent]]''
| after = [[Dharmendra Pradhan]]
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{{Bharatiya Janata Party chief ministers|state=collapsed}}
{{Bharatiya Janata Party chief ministers|state=collapsed}}
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{{Chief Ministers of Uttarakhand}}


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[[Category:Chief ministers from Bharatiya Janata Party]]
[[Category:Chief Ministers of Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:Chief ministers of Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:Members of the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly]]
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[[Category:Uttar Pradesh MLAs 1993–1996]]
[[Category:Uttar Pradesh MLAs 1997–2002]]
[[Category:Uttar Pradesh MLAs 1997–2002]]
[[Category:Uttaranchal MLAs 2000–2002]]
[[Category:Uttarakhand MLAs 2007–2012]]
[[Category:Uttarakhand MLAs 2007–2012]]
[[Category:16th Lok Sabha members]]
[[Category:Uttarakhand MLAs 2012–2017]]
[[Category:India MPs 2014–2019]]
[[Category:India MPs 2019–2024]]
[[Category:Lok Sabha members from Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:Lok Sabha members from Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:Bharatiya Janata Party politicians from Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:Bharatiya Janata Party politicians from Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:Uttarakhand politicians]]
[[Category:Politicians from Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:People from Haridwar district]]
[[Category:Narendra Modi ministry]]
[[Category:Narendra Modi ministry]]
[[Category:Education Ministers of India]]
[[Category:Ministers of education of India]]
[[Category:17th Lok Sabha members]]
[[Category:Union ministers from Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:Finance Ministers of Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:Finance ministers of Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University alumni]]

Latest revision as of 16:48, 22 January 2026


Ramesh Pokhriyal
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Union Minister of Education
In office
29 July 2020 (2020-07-29) – 7 July 2021 (2021-07-07)[1]
Prime MinisterNarendra Modi
Preceded byHimself as Minister of Human Resource Development
Succeeded byDharmendra Pradhan
Minister of Human Resource Development
In office
30 May 2019 (2019-05-30) – 29 July 2020 (2020-07-29)
Prime MinisterNarendra Modi
Preceded byPrakash Javadekar
Succeeded byHimself as Minister of Education
Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
In office
16 May 2014 (2014-05-16) – 4 June 2024 (2024-06-04)
Preceded byHarish Rawat
Succeeded byTrivendra Singh Rawat
ConstituencyHaridwar
5th Chief Minister of Uttarakhand
In office
27 June 2009 (2009-06-27) – 11 September 2011 (2011-09-11)
Preceded byB. C. Khanduri
Succeeded byB. C. Khanduri
Personal details
Born (1959-07-15) 15 July 1959 (age 67)
Pinani, Uttarakhand, India
Political partyBharatiya Janata Party
Spouse(s)
Kusum Kanta Pokhriyal
​
(
m. 1985; died 2012)
Children3
ResidenceDehradun, Uttarakhand
Alma materHemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University

Ramesh Pokhriyal "Nishank" (born 15 July 1959)[2] is an Indian politician from Bhartiya Janta Party. He served as the Human Resource Development Minister in the Union Government of India starting from 31 May 2019. The name of his ministry was changed to Education Ministry in July 2020, following the ministry's name change, his title was changed to Minister of Education.[3]

He represented the Haridwar Parliamentary constituency of Uttarakhand in the 17th Lok Sabha.[4] He was the 5th Chief Minister of Uttarakhand from 2009 to 2011. Due to corruption allegations he was asked to resign from his post by the BJP Central Leadership.[5][6]

Personal life[edit | edit source]

Pokhriyal was born in Pinani village, Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand to Paramanand Pokhriyal and Vishambhari Devi. He received an M.A. degree from Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University.[7][8][9]

Pokhriyal married Kusum Kanta Pokhriyal on 7 May 1985, with whom he has three daughters.[10] One of their daughters, Aarushi Nishank is a classical dancer,[11][12] actress, producer and model. His wife died on 11 November 2012 in Dehradun at the age of 50.[13]

Political career[edit | edit source]

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Pokhriyal taking charge as the Union Minister for Human Resource Development (now Education), in New Delhi on 31 May 2019.

Pokhriyal started his career as a teacher in Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh-affiliated Saraswati Shishu Mandir.[14] He was first elected to public office in the erstwhile undivided Uttar Pradesh as a member of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly from Karnaprayag constituency in 1991, defeating a five-time Congress MLA.[14] He was re-elected in 1993 and 1996 from the same constituency. In 1997 he was appointed to the position of Uttaranchal development minister. He contested 2002 election from Thalisain and lost, but in 2007 election won the seat. He was also Uttarakhand's chief minister (from 2009 to 2011). In 2012 election he changed his seat to Doiwala and Won. In 2014 and 2019 election he won and represented as Haridwar MP and the chairman of the Assurance Committee.[10] He was the member of the Legislative Assembly of Uttar Pradesh for three consecutive terms from 1991 to 2002 and member of the Legislative Assembly of Uttarakhand from 2007 to 2014 for two consecutive terms.[15] On 30 May 2019, he was sworn in as Minister of Human Resource Development in the 2nd Modi Government.[16][4] Following the ministry's name change to the Ministry of Education (India) in July 2020, he served under the title of Minister of Education.[3]

Literary career[edit | edit source]

Pokhriyal has written novels, stories and poems. He has authored more than 100 books in Hindi, some of which have been translated to English as well as other Indian languages. Most of his books were published by two private publishers – Vani Prakashan and Diamond Books, and many were published between 2009 and 2011, when he was chief minister of Uttarakhand.

One of his works was adapted into the Garhwali film Major Nirala, which was produced by his daughter Aarushi Nishank and released in 2018.[17]

He is honoured by Hindi Writers Guild, Canada in 2021 and was conferred with the "Sahitya Gaurav Samman".[18]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Pokhriyal relieved from his post", News18, 7 July 2021
  2. ↑ "'Because of Hindu Horoscope': HRD Minister's Clarification Over Row on Different Dates of Birth". News18. 2 June 2019.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Priscilla Jebaraj; Nistula Hebbar (31 July 2020). "Rigorous consultations done before framing new National Education Policy, says Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank". The Hindu. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank gets HRD ministry in PM Modi's new cabinet". Hindustan Times. 31 May 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
  5. ↑ Joshi, Poornima (21 November 2010). "Uttarakhand CM at centre of two scams". India Today. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  6. ↑ Joshi, Poornima (11 September 2011). "Nishank fired after drama to delay exit flops". India Today. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  7. ↑ "Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank | National Portal of India". www.india.gov.in. Archived from the original on 27 June 2015.
  8. ↑ Bhatnagar, Gaurav Vivek (29 August 2019). "HRD Minister Pokhriyal Under Fire for Using 'Doctor' Prefix Without Real PhD". The Wire. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
  9. ↑ "Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank (Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP)):Constituency- Haridwar (Uttarakhand) - Affidavit Information of Candidate". myneta.info. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Members : Lok Sabha". 164.100.47.194.
  11. ↑ "स्पर्श गंगा अभियानः एक साल में लगाए जाएंगे 10 लाख पौधे, दिल्ली से शुरु हुआ महाअभियान". News18 India. 2 October 2019. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  12. ↑ "Arushi Nishank featured in Forbes Middle East". The Pioneer. 26 October 2018. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  13. ↑ "Former Uttarakhand CM's wife dies". Hindustan Times. 11 November 2012. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "Former Teacher at RSS-affiliated School, Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank Now Human Resource Development Minister". Network 18. 31 May 2019. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
  15. ↑ "Members : Lok Sabha". 164.100.47.194.
  16. ↑ "Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank: Poet-politician gets a ministerial berth | What you need to know". India Today. 31 May 2019. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  17. ↑ "उत्तराखंडी फिल्म 'मेजर निराला' का प्रोमो दिल्ली में रिलीज, भाजपा सांसद ने लिखी है पूरी कहानी" [Uttrakhand's Film 'Major Nirala' 's promo released in Delhi, BJP MP had written the script.]. Amar Ujala (in हिन्दी). 13 May 2018. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  18. ↑ "Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal honoured by Canada's Hindi Writers Guild". The Hindu. PTI. 17 January 2021. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 9 July 2021.

External links[edit | edit source]

Lok Sabha
Preceded by
Harish Rawat 		Member of Parliament
for Haridwar
2014 – 2024 		Succeeded by
Trivendra Singh Rawat
Political offices
Preceded by
B. C. Khanduri 		Chief Minister of Uttarakhand
27 June 2009 – 10 September 2011 		Succeeded by
B. C. Khanduri
Preceded by
Prakash Javadekar 		Minister of Education
31 May 2019 – 7 July 2021 		Succeeded by
Dharmendra Pradhan

Template:Chief Ministers of Uttarakhand

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