Dr. Dhani Ram Narainuram Shandil | |
|---|---|
| धनीराम नरेनूराम सांडील | |
 Dr. Dhani Ram Narainuram Shandil | |
| Cabinet Minister, Government of Himachal Pradesh[1] | |
| Assumed office 8 January 2023 | |
| Governor | Rajendra Arlekar Shiv Pratap Shukla |
| Cabinet | Sukhu ministry |
| Chief Minister | Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu |
| Ministry and Departments |
|
| Member of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly | |
| Assumed office 20 December 2012 | |
| Preceded by | Rajeev Bindal |
| Constituency | Solan |
| Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha | |
| In office 10 October 1999 – 18 May 2009 | |
| Preceded by | Krishan Dutt Sultanpuri |
| Succeeded by | Virender Kashyap |
| Constituency | Shimla |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 20 October 1940 Shimla, Hill States, British India (Himachal Pradesh) |
| Nationality |  Indian |
| Political party |  Indian National Congress |
| Spouse | Indira Dhaniram Shandil (married. 10 May 1966) |
| Children | 1 son and 2 daughters |
| Parent(s) | Shri Narainuramji Shandil (father), Smt. Lakshmidevi Narainuramji Shandil (mother) |
| Residence | Solan |
| Education | M.A., M. Phil., Ph. D. |
| Alma mater | Himachal Pradesh University |
| Occupation | Social worker |
| Profession | Politician, Agriculturist |
| Awards | Bharat Jyoti Award |
| Nickname | Colonel Shandil |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | India |
| Branch/service |  Indian Army |
| Years of service | 1962 - 1996 |
| Rank |  Colonel |
| Unit | Dogra Regiment |
| Commands | Army commands, Shimla |
As of 9 May, 2006 Source: | |
Colonel Dhani Ram Shandil (Retd.) (born 20 October 1940) is an Indian politician from Himachal Pradesh. He is a member of the Indian National Congress political party.
Dhani Ram Shandil has served elite Dogra Regiment of Indian Army and is Bharat jyoti award winner. Shandil belongs to the Koli caste of Himachal Pradesh.[2]
Early Life and Family
Born on 20th October 1940 in Village Basheel, Tehsil Kandaghat, District Solan, Dhani Ram Shandil is the son of Late Shri Narainu Ram Shandil. He holds advanced degrees including M.A., M.Phil, and Ph.D. He is a widower with one son and two daughters. Dhani Ram Shandil is known for his significant contributions as a political and social worker.
Military Service
Dhani Ram Shandil served in the Armed Forces from 1962 to 1996 and retired with the rank of Colonel.
Political Career
Dhani Ram Shandil made his mark in the political arena by being elected to the Lok Sabha in 1999 (13th Lok Sabha) as a nominee of the Himachal Vikas Congress Party. He was re-elected in 2004 (14th Lok Sabha) as an Indian National Congress nominee. Notably, he served as the Leader of the Himachal Vikas Congress Parliamentary Party in Lok Sabha from 1999 to 2004. His contributions extended to various committees, including Defence, Library, Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, Computer for MPs, and External Affairs.
Dhani Ram Shandil further held key positions within the Indian National Congress, serving as the General Secretary and being in charge of Mizoram, Meghalaya, and Arunachal Pradesh. He was also a Member of the Congress Working Committee from April 2011 to September 2013.
In December 2012, he was elected to the State Legislative Assembly, and he was re-elected in December 2017. During this tenure, he served as the Social Justice & Empowerment Minister from 25th December 2012 to 21st December 2017. He was also a Member of the Welfare, Public Administration, and Ethics Committees from 2018 to 2022.
Elected for the third consecutive term in December 2022, Dhani Ram Shandil was inducted into the Council of Ministers as the Health and Family Welfare Minister. He also holds portfolios related to Social Justice & Empowerment, Labour, and Employment, starting from 8th January 2023.
Social and Cultural Interests
Dhani Ram Shandil has a keen interest in social and cultural activities, particularly mixing with young people and understanding the rich cultural heritage.
Favorite Pastimes
His favorite pastimes include reading, listening to classical music, trekking, long walks in nature, and playing tennis, golf, and badminton.
Travels Abroad
Dhani Ram Shandil has traveled to various countries, including Thailand, Bhutan, Britain, Australia, USA, Canada, and Dubai.
Languages Known
Fluent in Hindi, English, and Punjabi, Dhani Ram Shandil possesses strong linguistic skills for effective communication.
Awards
Dhani Ram Shandil has received several awards, including the Best Parliamentarian Award, Bharat Jyoti Award, and the Jewel of India Award at Dubai.
References
- ↑ "Council of Ministers - Government of Himachal Pradesh, India". himachal.nic.in. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
- ↑ "Lok Sabha Elections 2019: Congress Fauji Battles BJP's Fauji In Shimla". NDTV.com. Retrieved 20 January 2021.