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Who is Dharmendra Pradhan?
Dharmendra Pradhan is an Indian politician currently serving as the Minister of Education and Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in the newly formed government after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, but has stepped down from post of Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. Pradhan won the Odisha's Sambalpur constituency's 2024 Lok Sabha elections with 49.48 per cent vote share. While, his main opponent Biju Janata Dal candidate Pranab Prakash Das managed to secure 39.47 per cent of vote share. Previously, he has also been the Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Minister of Steel. As a Member of Parliament (MP), Pradhan represents Madhya Pradesh in the Rajya Sabha and was earlier a member of the 14th Lok Sabha. Pradhan became the Minister of Education in second Narendra Modi ministry in July 2021 after the Cabinet reshuffle replacing Ramesh Pokhriyal.
Pradhan, who hails from the city of Talcher, was born on June 26, 1969 in Odisha. He is the son of Debendra Pradhan who was also a Minister of State in the Vajpayee government between 1999 and 2004.
In the history of independent India, Dharmendra Pradhan is the longest-serving Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas. He is popularly known as the "Ujjwala Man" as he is credited with the success of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) launched in 2016.
Education
In the history of independent India, Dharmendra Pradhan is the longest-serving Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas. He is popularly known as the "Ujjwala Man" as he is credited with the success of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) launched in 2016.
Education
Dharmendra Pradhan did post-graduation in Anthropology from Utkal University, Bhubaneswar and also worked on issues concerning the youth, such as unemployment, lack of skill-based education, rehabilitation and resettlement of farmers and played a major role in mobilising the youth in Odisha. He became an ABVP activist while studying as a higher secondary student in Talcher College, Odisha and was later appointed as the president of student union of Talcher College.
Politcal career
Pradhan began his political career in 1983 as an ABVP activist and was elected as its secretary. He also worked as an election in-charge in Bihar and as an in-charge of party affairs in Uttarakhand, Karnataka, Odisha and Jharkhand.
He was elected to the Lok Sabha in 2004 from Deogarh after serving in different positions in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He was also elected as the member of the Rajya Sabha for two terms each from Madhya Pradesh and Bihar.
For his contribution towards society and the party, Pradhan was conferred with the ‘Best Legislator Award’, the Utkalmani Gopabandhu Pratibha Samman, 2002 and the 'Odisha Citizens’ Award' in 2013.