Ramesh Pokhriyal

Ramesh Pokhriyal "Nishank" (born 15 July 1959) is an Indian politician from Bharatiya Janata 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.

He represented the Haridwar Parliamentary constituency of Uttarakhand in the 17th Lok Sabha. 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.

Personal life 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.

Pokhriyal married Kusum Kanta Pokhriyal on 7 May 1985, with whom he has three daughters. actress, producer and model. His wife died on 11 November 2012 in Dehradun at the age of 50.

Political career 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. 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. 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. On 30 May 2019, he was sworn in as Minister of Human Resource Development in the 2nd Modi Government.

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