COMBINED EFFORT

Mansukh Mandaviya has his task cut out—vaccinating India and deftly managing the two ministries he heads

- REKHA DIXIT

When Mansukh Mandaviya was named India's new health minister, many were surprised that Narendra Modi picked him to head the ministry at this crucial juncture. The decision, however, was rather natural. The low-profile man from rural Gujarat is not new to Delhi. He has walked the power corridors for around a decade—first as a Rajya Sabha member, and since 2016, as Modi's man across ministries, taking on the role of junior minister, be it road transport and highways, or chemicals and fertilisers.

Modi relies on a certain brand of men and women for executing his vision. He likes technocrats. And, he likes people he has worked with in the past, especially the younger lot who can go far if they work well. Mandaviya is from the latter group, having been a legislator when Modi was Gujarat chief minister. During their Gujarat years, Modi had said he saw a bright future for Mandaviya. The 49-year-old has so far proved worthy of Modi's trust in almost every assignment, whether it was in managing the BJP’s membership drive in Gujarat or representing India at the United Nations on sustainable development.

Mandaviya's elevation has much to do with his quiet, diligent work. While Rajpath was abuzz with what the cabinet reshuffle would bring, Mandaviya was busy visiting the premises of Zydus Cadila, which is making the ZyCoV-D vaccine for Covid-19. He is vested with two ministries now—health, and chemicals and fertilisers—hoping to bring synergy between them. The need to ramp up vaccination is underscored by doctors and researchers alike, who say the severity of the dreaded third wave is directly dependant on how well India vaccinates its population.