Mansukh Mandaviya takes charge as India’s new health minister

Mansukh Mandaviya, India’s former Minister for Roads and Urban Development, Shipping, Chemicals and Fertilizers, has taken charge as the country’s new health minister. He took charge at a time when the Indian government was struggling to cope with the third wave of coronavirus (Covid-19) and vaccine roll-outs.
Although the 49-year-old Gujarat MP has taken charge of the health ministry, he is still holding charge of his previous ministry. He has already visited three vaccine manufacturers in India.

Mandaviya studied Veterinary Science from Gujarat Agricultural University but later did her Masters in Political Science. He started his political journey as a member of the All-India Student Council and later joined the BJP. Mandaviya was elected the youngest MLA in 2002. In 2016, he first joined the Narendra Modi government.

“Narendra Modi and Amit Shah have put their trust and confidence in me again,” he said after taking over as health minister. “I am grateful to them.” Among the new ministers are four West Bengal MPs. They are – Subhas Sarkar, Nisith Pramanik, John Barla and Shantanu Thakur.