Ramesh Pokhriyal "Nishank" रमेश पोखरियाल "निशंक" | |
---|---|
5th Chief Minister of Uttarakhand | |
In office June 27, 2009 – 11 September 2011 | |
Preceded by | B. C. Khanduri |
Succeeded by | B. C. Khanduri |
Member of Parliament for Haridwar (Lok Sabha constituency) | |
Assumed office 16 May 2014 | |
Preceded by | Harish Rawat |
Personal details | |
Born | Pinani, Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand | 15 August 1958
Political party | Bharatiya Janata Party |
Spouse | Kusum Kanta Pokhriyal |
Residence(s) | Dehradun, Uttarakhand |
Ramesh Pokhriyal "Nishank" (Hindi: रमेश पोखरियाल "निशंक"; born August 15, 1958)[1]) is an Indian politician belonging to the Bharatiya Janata Party. He was Chief Minister of Uttarakhand from 2009 to 2011. He is a Member of Parliament in 16th Lok Sabha. He represents the Haridwar Parliamentary Constituency of Uttarakhand in Lok Sabha and is a senior member of the Bharatiya Janta Party.[2]
He was born to Parmanand Pokhriyal and Vishwambhari Devi at Pinani village in Pauri Garhwal district in Uttar Pradesh (presently in Uttarakhand).
He was elected to the Vidhan Sabha of Uttar Pradesh for the first time in 1991, from Karnaprayag constituency. He was elected again in 1993 and 1996 from the same constituency. In 1997, he became the Minister for Uttaranchal Development in the Uttar Pradesh state government. In 2002, he contested the Uttaranchal Vidhan Sabha election from Thalisain constituency but lost. He contested the 2007 elections to the Uttarakhand Vidhan Sabha from the same constituency, this time successfully.[1][3]In 2009 he was given the charge of the Minister for Medical Health and Family Welfare and Ayush. From 2014 onwards positions he hold :Member of Committee on Public Accounts, Chairperson, Committee on Government Assurances & Member of Standing Committee on Rural Development. On may 2014 he was Elected to 16th Lok Sabha.[4]
On 27 June 2009 he became the fifth Chief Minister of Uttarakhand.[5] He was succeeded by B. C. Khanduri.[6]
His forty five books on poems, novels, stories and research had been published till now. His various books are translated in more than 12 Indian and Foreign Languages; involved in various research work done on ‘Nishank’ Literature in Indian and Foreign Universities, Writings included in the curriculum of Indian and Foreign Schools and Universities. He was given the Honorary Degree of DFC and D.Litt. from International Open University Colombo, Honorary Degree of Ph.D. and D.Litt. from various other Universities also “Bharat Gaurav Samman” the highest Literary honour of Mauritus for International In-ordinary Talent honour.[7]
On 3 December 2014, Nishank made controversial statement in Lok Sabha saying "Science is a dwarf in front of astrology. Astrology is the biggest science. It is in fact above science. We should promote it. We speak about nuclear science today. But Sage Kanad conducted nuclear test one lakh years ago."[8][9]
On 10 December 2014, Nishank made another controversial statement saying 'Rupee grew stronger during NDA government and rose from 52 to 63'.[10]