Mansukh Mandaviya, a prominent leader from Gujarat, has been appointed as the new Union Sports Minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cabinet. The 52-year-old replaces Anurag Thakur, who served as the Sports Minister for nearly three years for July 2021. Mandaviya’s appointment comes at a crucial time, just months before the Patis Olympics, where India is aiming for a historic medal tally. The list of Members of Parliaments.
Mandaviya, who previously served as the Union Health Minister during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, secured a resounding victory in the Porbandar Lok Sabha seat in Gurahat, defeating his nearest Congress rival Lalit Vasoya by a margin of over 3.83 lakh votes. In addition to the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, he has also been assigned to the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers in the newly unveiled cabinet.
Raksha Nikhil Khadse, a three-time BJP MP from Maharasthra’s Raver constituency, has been appointed as the Minister of State (sports) under Mandaviya. Khadse, aged 37, is the daughter-in-law of Eknath Khadse, an NCP leader from the Shared Pawar faction who has decided to region the BJP.
Mandaviya’s political career began in 2008, and he has represented the Hamirpur constituency in Himachal Pradesh five times. During his tenure as Health Minister, he oversaw the implementation of the COVID-19 vaccine program and was tasked with augmenting the supply of oxygen and medicines during the severe second wave of the pandemic.
Anurag Thakur, the outgoing Sports Minister, was among the 37 ministers dropped from the third successive Modi government. However, his tenure was marked by significant achievements, including India’s best-ever performance at the Olympics, winning a record seven medals in the Tokyo Games. Thakur also spearheaded India’s bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games and emphasized the government’s flagship Khelo India initiative as a pivotal factor in India’s improving sporting performances.
As the new Sports Minister, Mandaviya faces the challenge of building on the momentum created by his predecessor and ensuring that India continues to excel in the international sporting arena. With the Paris Olympics just around the corner, he will be tasked with overseeing the final preparations and providing the necessary support to the athletes.
Born on June 1, 1972, in the Bhavnagar district of Gujarat to a middle-class farmer family, Mandaviya is the youngest among four brothers. He completed his primary education in his village and later pursued a degree in pharmacy from Bhavnagar University. Mandaviya’s journey from a small town in Gujarat to become the Union Sports Minister is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and political acumen.
In conclusion, the appointment of Mansukh Mandaviya as the new Union Sports Minister in PM Modi’s cabinet marks a significant change in the leadership of the sports ministry. With his experience as health minister and his political background, Mandaviya is well-positioned to lead the ministry and guide India’s sporting aspirations. As the nation gears up for the Paris Olympics, all eyes will be on Mandaviya to ensure that the Indian contingent achieves its best-ever performances on the global stage.