The second term Haridwar MP and former chief minister of Uttarakhand, Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ was among those who took the oath of office and secrecy as member of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s union cabinet on Thursday evening. The 54 year old Nishank has come a long way from his humble beginnings in Pinani village of Pauri district to the post of a union minister. Having volunteered for the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), he also made a name for himself in literature, social work and journalism apart from politics.

His political career began before the creation of Uttarakhand State. He was elected MLA from Karnprayag Assembly constituency thrice consecutively from 1991 onward. Later, in 1997 he was the cabinet minister of the hill area development department in the Uttar Pradesh Government. In the following year, he was made the cabinet minister for culture and religious affairs in the UP government. After the creation of Uttarakhand state in the year 2000, he handled the post of the state’s first finance minister. He also handled 12 other departments including rural development, medical education, potable water and revenue.

Later, in 2007 he was the Uttarakhand government’s cabinet minister of medical, health and family welfare, AYUSH and science and technology department. His political stature registered a rise when he became the fifth chief minister of Uttarakhand in June 2009 and continued till September 2011. Later in October 2011, he was made the national vice president of the Bharatiya Janata Party. After that, in March 2012, he was elected as the MLA from the Doiwala Assembly constituency. Apart from politics, he is also known for his active involvement in literature and poetry, having authored 36 books. These include poetry collections, stories for children, books on personality development, novels and collection of short stories. Many of his books have also been translated into various Indian and foreign languages.