Himachal Pradesh can never forget the contributions of Virbhadra Singh and Dr. Y.S. Parmar
A statue of former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh was unveiled in Sarahan on Sunday at a special event organized by the Bushahr Sports Culture and Environment Association. Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri attended as the chief guest, while Education Minister Rohit Thakur, Public Works and Urban Development Minister Vikramaditya Singh, Tourism Development Corporation Chairman R.S. Bali, and other dignitaries were also present.
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Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri said that former Chief Minister, the late Virbhadra Singh, not only ruled Himachal Pradesh politics but also held a special place in the hearts of the state’s citizens for nearly five decades. He said that Virbhadra Singh was a visionary politician, a visionary leader, and the architect of modern Himachal Pradesh, whose contributions to the state’s development will always be unforgettable.
Mukesh Agnihotri said that Virbhadra Singh was not just a leader of Rampur or Rohru, but had equal acceptance and popularity throughout Himachal Pradesh. People respected him in every region of the state. Whether in Una, Kangra, and Hamirpur, or in remote areas like Kullu, Ani, Pangi, Bharmour, and Lahaul-Spiti, he had a special influence and a close connection with the people.
He said that Virbhadra Singh had extensive political experience. He worked with several Prime Ministers, from the country’s first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, to Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, and Dr. Manmohan Singh. His political career was a remarkable example of experience, public service, and dedication to development.
Virbhadra Singh’s political school inspired public service
Recalling Virbhadra Singh’s contributions to his political career, the Deputy Chief Minister said that he considered it a privilege to have served in his cabinet. He said that Virbhadra Singh showed him the path to progress in politics.
He said, “I have been a student of Virbhadra Singh’s political school. It is because of his teachings and guidance that I have been continuously serving the people as an MLA for the last 25 years.”
He said that during his long political career, Virbhadra Singh nurtured numerous MLAs, MPs, and leaders. Many public representatives who learned the nuances of politics under his leadership have made significant contributions to the state’s development.
Mukesh Agnihotri also praised the political contributions of senior leaders like Thakur Kaul Singh and Thakur Ramlal. He said that these leaders played a significant role in state politics for a long time and earned the public’s trust by winning numerous assembly elections. Their political experience is a source of inspiration for the new generation of leaders.
Virbhadra Singh’s vision played a vital role in the development of Rampur and Rohru regions.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that the unprecedented development work undertaken in the Rampur and Rohru areas is a testament to Virbhadra Singh’s visionary thinking. He said that there was a time when all political avenues in the state led to Rohru. Virbhadra Singh’s political influence and support base were so widespread that he played a central role in state politics.
He said that Virbhadra Singh did not contest the assembly elections from Rampur, but his contribution to the region’s development was significant. The establishment of hydroelectric projects, the expansion of roads, and the development of infrastructure in Rampur and surrounding areas are the results of his visionary thinking.
He said that the development visible today in Rampur and its surrounding areas reflects the development policies of Virbhadra Singh and his resolve to connect the hilly areas with the mainstream.
He said that Virbhadra Singh also gave special priority to the development of remote and tribal areas of the state. He envisioned that the benefits of development should reach every person and every region of Himachal Pradesh.
Dr. Parmar created Himachal, Virbhadra Singh gave it a modern look
Mukesh Agnihotri said that the contributions of two great leaders in the history of Himachal Pradesh will never be forgotten: Dr. Y.S. Parmar, the architect of Himachal Pradesh, and Virbhadra Singh, the architect of modern Himachal.
He said that if Dr. Y.S. Parmar had not been there, the formation of Himachal Pradesh would not have been possible and if Virbhadra Singh had not been there, it would have been difficult to imagine the developed and modern form of Himachal Pradesh that is visible today.
He said that Virbhadra Singh played an important role in taking Himachal Pradesh to new heights of development through expansion of education, health, roads, electricity and other infrastructure facilities.
Serving the poor and needy has always been the top priority
The Deputy Chief Minister said that Virbhadra Singh was not only a skilled political strategist but also a sensitive public leader. He guided the state’s politics for nearly five decades, but the primary objective of his political life was to serve the poor, vulnerable, and needy.
He said that the welfare of the poor and bringing the benefits of development to the last person in society were always paramount on Virbhadra Singh’s agenda . This is why millions of people in the state still remember him with respect and honor.
State Government committed to preserve the legacy of Virbhadra Singh
Mukesh Agnihotri stated that the state government fully respects the contributions and great legacy of former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh. He added that the Himachal Pradesh government has honored him by installing a life-size statue of him on the historic Ridge grounds in Shimla.
He said that statues of great personalities of the country and the state are installed on the Ridge ground and Virbhadra Singh also has a place among those great personalities.
He said that the installation of life-size statues of Virbhadra Singh in the state is a symbol of the people’s unwavering respect and affection towards him.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that Virbhadra Singh was a people’s leader who can never be forgotten. He will always live on in the history of Himachal Pradesh and in the hearts of the people of the state.
He said that the current state government is committed to the all-round development and public welfare of Himachal Pradesh, following the path shown by Virbhadra Singh. His ideals, thoughts, and vision will continue to inspire future generations to serve the people.
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Himachal Pradesh has established new dimensions of development under the leadership of Virbhadra Singh – Rohit Thakur
Education Minister Rohit Thakur said that former Chief Minister, the late Virbhadra Singh, was a pride of Himachal Pradesh, who, during his long political career, provided a new direction to the state’s development through public welfare policies. It is due to his leadership and visionary thinking that Himachal Pradesh, once considered a backward hill state in terms of development, is today recognized as a development model.
He said that great leaders like Dr. Y.S. Parmar, Thakur Ramlal, and Virbhadra Singh have made incomparable contributions to the creation and development of Himachal Pradesh. It is because of these leaders’ vision, spirit of public service, and development-oriented policies that the state has reached its present state.
Rohit Thakur said that in 2003, when he and Mukesh Agnihotri first became MLAs, Virbhadra Singh was the Chief Minister of the state. He still remembers Virbhadra Singh’s core mantra, which emphasized the spirit of “Himachal everywhere, development everywhere.” He said that this thinking has been the foundation of the Congress government’s development policy, and with this vision, the state is continuously moving forward.
It is our moral responsibility to preserve the memories of great leaders.
The Education Minister said that no individual is immortal, but the thoughts and ideals of great leaders who made significant contributions to the development of society and the state remain alive forever. It is our moral responsibility to remember such leaders and carry forward their legacy.
He said that leaders like Virbhadra Singh have given Himachal Pradesh a distinct identity. From the time of Dr. Y.S. Parmar to Virbhadra Singh’s tenure, the state has achieved various milestones of development and established its own identity. Change is inevitable with time, but the fundamental spirit of development, principles, and commitment to public welfare must not be compromised.
Rohit Thakur said that if we stray from the ideology of our great leaders, Himachal Pradesh’s unique identity will be affected. Therefore, it is essential to embrace their ideals and principles and work tirelessly for the state’s development.
Important works done in the Public Works Department during the tenure of the present government
The Education Minister praised the efforts of Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh, saying he was doing good work in his department. He said that significant work was being done to strengthen road infrastructure under various schemes, including the Central Road Fund (CRF) and the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).
He said that the Public Works Department has received significant approvals and budget allocations during the current government’s tenure. Citing this example, he said that recently, approval for approximately ₹127 crore was received for the Jhakri area, which is crucial for the area’s development.
Rohit Thakur said that roads are the foundation of the state’s economy, rural connectivity, and tourism development. Developing a better road network in remote mountainous areas helps people access education, health, and other essential services. The Education Minister congratulated the event organizers, youth leader Rahul Saini, Mandal Congress officials, and all the associates for organizing the event. He said that such events are an important means of remembering the contributions of great leaders and spreading their ideology to the new generation. He expressed his gratitude to Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh, former MP Pratibha Singh, and all those present at the event. He expressed confidence that Himachal Pradesh will continue to progress in the areas of development and public welfare by following the path shown by the state’s great leaders, including Virbhadra Singh. The Education Minister called upon everyone to adopt the ideals of great leaders and resolve to advance Himachal Pradesh’s development journey.
