New Delhi/Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended birthday greetings to Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday.
While sharing his greetings on social media, the PM lauded Pradhan’s efforts and contribution towards the implementation of National Education Policy in the country during his tenure.
“Birthday wishes to Union Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan Ji. He is making commendable efforts towards the implementation of the National Education Policy, which seeks to make India a hub for knowledge, learning and innovation. Praying for his long and healthy life,” PM Narendra Modi wrote on his X account.
The PM wished a long and healthy life for the Union Minister.
He was born on 26 June, 1969 to Dr Debendra Pradhan, is a former BJP MP. Leadership qualities were visible in him from his college days. He did MA in Anthropology from Utkal University Bhubaneswar. He married Mridula Pradhan.
In 1983, He became the A.B.V.P Activist while studying as a higher secondary student at Talcher College, Odisha and next he became the president of the Student Union in Talcher. Dharmendra was selected as National Secretary of ABVP in 1995. He joined the BJP party in 1998. He kick-started his political career by contesting in the 2000 Odisha assembly election from the Pallalhara constituency and tasted his first electoral victory. He served as in-charge of Bihar and in-charge of Karnataka from the BJP party from 2011-2013.
He held the positions of co-in-charge of BJP Bihar in State Elections, in-charge of Bharatiya Janta Yuva Morcha (BJYM), in-charge BJP Jharkhand, election-in-charge BJP Uttarakhand.
Some more positions which he held:
2001: President of BJP Youth Wing (BJYM), Odisha
2002: National Secretary, BJP
2004: Elected to the 14th Loka Sabha from Deogarh constituency. He was the Member of the Committee on Energy, and Member of the Committee on Petitions
2004–2006: Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha National president
2007: Member of Standing Committee on Energy
2010-till present: All India General Secretary
2012: Elected to Rajya Sabha from Bihar. He worked as Member of Committee on Government Assurances, Member JPC to examine matters relating to allocation and pricing of telecom Licenses and spectrum. Member of Committee of Rural Development. Member of Committee on Agriculture.
2014: He became the Minister of State (Independent Charge ) of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. Serving under this ministry, he has visited more than 24 countries and attended many summits, and participated in many International programs as a delegate from the country
2019: Appointed as Minister of petroleum and natural gas for a second term and also minister of steel
According to the political observers, he regularly interacts with different sections of the society, particularly the youth.
