Ramesh Pokhriyal

Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal "Nishank" रमेश पोखरियाल "निशंक"
5th Chief Minister of Uttarakhand
In office 27 June 2009 – 11 September 2011
Preceded by	B. C. Khanduri
Succeeded by	B. C. Khanduri
Member of the India Parliament for Haridwar
Incumbent
Assumed office 16 May 2014
Preceded by	Harish Rawat
Personal details
Born	(1959-07-15) 15 July 1959 Pinani, Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand
Political party	Bharatiya Janata Party
Spouse(s)	Kusum Kanta Pokhriyal
Residence	Dehradun, Uttarakhand
Occupation	Politician, Poet, Writer
Website	www.rameshpokhriyalnishank.in

Ramesh Pokhriyal "Nishank" (Hindi: रमेश पोखरियाल "निशंक"; born 15 July 1959)^[1] is an Indian politician belonging to the Bharatiya Janata Party. He was Chief Minister of Uttarakhand from 2009 to 2011. He is a currently 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]

Personal life

He was born in Pinani Village, Pauri Garhwal, Uttar Pradesh (now Uttarakhand) to Paramanamd Pokhriyal and Vishambhari Devi. He later married Kusum Kanta Pokhriyal.

He graduated from Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University Srinagar (Garhwal), Uttarakhand in Arts, and acquired his PHD (With Honours) and D Lit. (With Honours). As a student he has also received many acknowledgements for his excellent performance academically and otherwise.

Political career

Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ is an Indian politician. He was first elected for the Utter Pradesh Vidhan Sabha from Karnaprayag ward 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 16th session and the Chairman of the Assurance Committee.

• Currently a representative of Haridwar constituency in the Lok Sabha and a senior member of Bhartiya Janta Party .
• Member of Vidhan Sabha of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand for five consecutive terms from 1991 to 2012.
• Elected first time in 1991 from Karnaprayag ward for three consecutive terms.
• Appointed Cabinet Minister for Uttaranchal Development in Shri Kalyan Singh’s Cabinet and in 1999 appointed for Cultural Fulfillment and Endowments in Shri Ram Prakash Gupta’s Cabinet.
• In 2000, after creation of Uttarakhand state, was appointed for twelve departments including finance, revenue, tax and water divisions.
• First minister of 12 divisions, including finance, revenue, tax and water, for the State of Uttarakhand.
• In 2007, appointed minister for Health and Family Welfare, Language and Science departments in Uttarakhand.
• In 2009, became the youngest Chief Minister of Uttarakhand.
• In 2012, elected Vidhayak for Lok Sabha from Doiwala, Dehradun constituency.
• In 2014, resigned from Doiwala, and elected from Haridwar for Lok Sabha.

Chief Ministership

He was the fifth Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, and also the youngest, from 2009 to 2011. In his term as Chief Minister, he efficiently solved the complex and sensitive topic of the inclusion of Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar in Uttarakhand with his political expertise, knowledge and sound coordination skills. He made many successful attempts for getting Hamalayan Cultures in international forums . To encourage small businesses in the state he reduced the sales tax from 4% to 1%. And, he also constructed 364 depots for supplies, increasing the revenue of the state from INR 61.75 cr to INR 128 cr and the total tax collection were raised from INR 575 cr to INR 1100 cr.

He also helped improve the quality of life in hilly areas through science and technology by encouraging many new projects. And Dr. Nishank also started the Sparsh Ganga Abhiyaan to help make the Ganga clean and stay pure for many generations to come .

Literary career

Dr Nishank has been writing poems and stories from his childhood, but his first collection “Samparn” was published in 1983. Today, he has over 10 poem anthology, 12 story anthology, 10 novels, 6 kids literature, 2 personal development books which amounts to more than 4 dozens of published works, and despite his busy schedule, he always finds time to pursue his passion.

Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ is a man of literary culture. Till now, he has written in all genres of Hindi Literature (poems, novels, short stories, travel journals, etc.) making him a respectable figure in Hindi Literature. He is a nationalist at heart, and that is why he is also included in the list of national poets .

It is because of Dr Nishank’s fundaments and relevance of his works, that they have been translated in many languages (French, German, Malayalam, Marathi, Telugu, etc.). His literature has also been included in the curriculum for Chennai, Madras and Hamburg University. Many Academicians (Dr Shyamdhar Tiwari, Dr Vinay Dabral, Dr Nand Kishore, to name a few) have used his compositions for their theses and research purposes.

 At present, Dr NIshank’s literary works are being used for research in many national and international universities (Garhwal University, Kumaun University, Sagar University Madhya Pradesh, University of Madras, University Of Hamburg, University of Lucknow, and Meerut University).

Published works

1. Samarpan (Poems) 1983

2. Navankur (Poems) 1984

3. Mujhe Vidhata Banna Hai (Poems) 1985

4. Tum Bhee Mere Saath Chalo (Poems) 1986

5. Roshnee Kee Ek Kiran (Stories) 1986

6. Desh Hum Jalne Na Denge (Poems) 1988

7. Jeevanpath Mein (Poems) 1989

8. Bas Ek Hee Ichchaa (Stories) 1989

9. Matribhoomi Ke Liye (Poems) 1992

10. Kya Naheen Ho Sakta (Stories) 1993

Notable works translated in other languages

1. Khare Hue Prashn (Stories) En Kelvikku Ennabathil (Tamil)

2. Ae Vatan tere Liye (Poems) Tayanade Unakkad (Tamil)

3. Ae Vatan tere Liye (Poems) Janmabhoomi (Telugu)

4. Bheer Sakshi Hai (Stories) The Crowd Bears Witness (English)

5. Bas Ek Hi Ichha (Stories) Nur Ein Wunsch (German)

6. Khare Hue Prashn (Stories) Prashnankit (Marathi)

7. Khare Hue Prashn (Stories) Esperances Et Verites (French)

8. Kya Nahin Ho Sakta (Stories) Sangle Shakya Aahe (Marathi)

9. Bas Ek Hi Ichha (Stories) cl, d gh bPNk (Garhwali)

10. Tum Aur Main (Stories) Du Und Ich (German)

Awards and Accolades

• Republic of Mauritius awarded him with Gopio International Award for his contribution towards art, literature, public service and environment conservation.
• Many national and international literature and social organisations awarded him with Rashtriya Gaurav, Bharat Gaurav, Pride of Uttrakhand Award.
• Indian Government awarded hin with Mahapandit Rahul Sankrityayan Award for the year 2008 09 for his book “Himalaya ka Maha Kumbh: Nanda Devi Raj Jaat”
• International Open University, Colombo granted him an honorary degree with D. Lit. for his literary work
• Honorary D. Lit. for literature by Graphic Era University, Uttarakhand
• Sahitya Gaurav Samman by Former President Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
• Awarded with Sahatyacheta Samman by Padma Shri Ramanand Sagar and many of Mumbai’s Literature associations.
• Honoured for creation of exceptional and excellent literature in Sri Lanka, Holland, Norway, Germany, and Moscow.
• Bahrat Gaurav Samman
• Hindi Gaurav Samman
• Sahitya Bhusan Samman
• Vidya Vachaspati Puraskar by Hindi Sahitya Sammelan, Allahabad
• Sahitya Vachaspati  Award by Nalanda University
• Dr Nishank has been awarded with around 300 accolades for his contribution in literature and politics on national and international level.

Opinions of Noted Scholars on Dr 'Nishank's Compositions

Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank's work is an amazing combination of literary genres. His poems while connecting readers to the spirit of nationalism and on the other hand connecting to the grief and authenticity of the common man. I am proud to say that I have met an Indian, who is such a singular, humble, patriotic, and generous of heart, intense and a sensitive writer.

-Sir Anerood Jugnauth, Former President of Republic of Mauritius 

I am proud of honouring such a creative and sensitive litterateur like Dr. Nishank. I have sincerely read the stories written by Dr. Nishank. In his stories, a resounding image of the pain and suffering of the Himalayan life can be seen.

-Dr Navin Ramgoolam, Former Prime Minister of Republic of Mauritius 

Despite being extremely busy in politics, Dr Nishank’s continuous writings show his literary talent. His writings connect nations and people together.

-Padma Bhushan Ruskin Bond, Renowned Author 

Dr. Nishank's composition brings forth the pain of the backward and the poorer sections, which demonstrates the struggle of the backward society of the entire world.

-Padma Bhushan David Frawley, Renowned American Author 

I read, comprehended and speculated on Dr. Nishank's great work “Ae Vatan Tere Liye”. I can say with confidence that the poetry of 'Nishank' emanating from the Himalayas will form the foundation stone of our nation. Dr Nishank has registered a strong presence as a poet in the form of a glorious sun. His uninterrupted literary journey will undoubtedly play a big role in the prosperity of Hindi.

-Dr A. P. J. Andul Kalam, Former President of India 

Even in active politics, the way Dr Nishank is constantly thriving in the field of literature, it is not achievable for an ordinary person. I am convinced that through his writing he will continue to raise many questions about various issues before the country's policymakers.

-Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Former Prime Minister of India 

The poems from Samarpan and Navankur are very beautiful. The poet has said a lot through his uncomplicated and comprehensible language.

-Padma Bhushan Harivansh Rai Bachchan, Renowned Writer 

I have always been inspired with the patriotism in the poems of Nishank. I have always seen him as a national poet.

-Padma Shri Ramanand Sagar, Indian Film Maker 

Words never die. These patriotic songs of Dr Nishank will always be in people's heart.

-Amitabh Bachchan

See also

• Ramesh Pokhriyal Ministry(2009–11)

References

External links

• Personal website of Ramesh Pokhriyal