Harsh Vardhan: A Career in Politics and Public Service Born December 13, 1954, Harsh Vardhan is a former Indian politician and otorhinolaryngologist. His political career is largely intertwined with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). A prominent figure in the BJP, he served as the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Science and Technology, and Earth Sciences from May 2019 to July 2021 under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During this tenure, he played a key role in the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Elected as a Member of Parliament representing Chandni Chowk in Delhi during the 17th Lok Sabha, Vardhan also held the significant position of Chairperson of the World Health Organization's Executive Board from May 2020. His resignation from the cabinet preceded a July 2021 reshuffle. He subsequently retired from active politics in March 2024, reportedly after being denied a BJP ticket for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Vardhan's political contributions include his ministerial roles and efforts during the pandemic. His defining characteristics appear to be a blend of medical expertise and political engagement within the BJP's framework.