New Delhi, Jun 11 : Mansukh Mandaviya assumed charge of the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs on Tuesday, pledging full commitment to enhancing the country’s sports landscape.
The 52-year-old Mandaviya, who secured victory from the Porbandar Lok Sabha seat in Gujarat, previously served as the Union Health Minister during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. He also held the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers in the prior government.
“…to empower the youth of the country and strengthen the country in the field of sports, today I took charge of @YASMinistry in Shastri Bhawan,” Mandaviya posted on X following his assumption of duties. “We all will work together with full commitment to strengthen these areas,” he added.
Mandaviya succeeded BJP leader Anurag Thakur in the Sports Ministry. In addition to this role, he also took charge of the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
Joining Mandaviya was Raksha Khadse, the Minister of State (Sports) and a three-time BJP MP from Maharashtra’s Raver. The 37-year-old Raksha is the daughter-in-law of Eknath Khadse, an NCP leader from the Sharad Pawar faction who has recently decided to return to the BJP.
Mandaviya was appointed to the health portfolio in mid-2021 amid the COVID-19 crisis, replacing Dr Harsh Vardhan as part of a cabinet reshuffle. His ministry was responsible for increasing the supply of oxygen and medicines and overseeing the vaccination program during the severe second wave of COVID-19.
In the newly sworn-in government, the health ministry has been assigned to J P Nadda.
