The people of Himachal Pradesh this month celebrated the 109th birth anniversary of a great visionary leader YS Parmar, without whose contribution the hill State would not have saved its

independent identity.

Himachal’s founder, Parmar’s eventful political carrier was devoted to realise his dream to see the hill State as one of the richest States of the country and he left no stone unturned to realise his dream into a reality.

Born in a sleepy Bagthan village in a family of popular leader and social worker Bhandari Shivanand Singh, who was also a leading advocate and a writer, Parmar, the illustrious son of the soil, went on to known as the architect modern Himachal Pradesh.

Parmar went to FC College, lahore, and then to Kenning College of lucknow University where he did his MA and Phd.

For 10 years, he remained a member of Seva Samiti Nahan. He also became a member of Theosophical Society of Dehradun for 17 years and later he joined judicial service and was District and Sessions Judge. In

1947, he was made chairperson of the All India State People Conference.

later, he played an active role in famous Suket Satyagrah against the former rulers in 1948. In recognition of his talent, zest and zeal, he was nominated as member of the All India Congress Committee and later made the adviser of the Chief Commissioner.

After remaining the Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee president during 1948-50, he participated and won the general elections of 1951-52 and became the first Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh (1952-1956).

He was elected Member of Parliament in 1957. Once again, he became CM in 1967 and 1977.

Parmar did a gigantic task of uniting hilly people and fought relentlessly for the attainment of Statehood for Himachal Pradesh and succeeded in it in 1971. The big and powerful lobby of Punjab would have devoured Himachal Pradesh had Parmar not been there in the political scenario of the State.

The Indian Government, after a great deal of persuasion by Parmar and his

colleagues, agreed to keep Himachal Pradesh a separate entity. But, this meant negation of democratic Government in the Pradesh, which was kept as union territory.

Parmar, who was Chief Minister at that time, had said, “No sacrifice is too great to save Himachal Pradesh.”

In protest, he stepped down and lieutenant Governor took over as an Administrator of the State.  Himachal, from a part ‘C’ State, was made a Union Territory. With Dr Parmar’s strenuous efforts, Himachal Pradesh attained statehood in 1971.

Author of several books, Dr Parmar also practiced in the Supreme Court for some time as a successful advocate. His living was simple and he dedicated his whole life for the welfare and prosperity of Himachal Pradesh. He was a selfless, inspiring and untiring crusader of espousing public causes.

His end was, however, tragic. Despite his unflinching honesty and super performance, he was unceremoniously asked by the All India Congress Committee high command to step down, reportedly at the behest of Sanjay Gandhi. And he did it.

Thakur Ram lal took over as the next chief minister. And an era of reckless destruction of deodar forests and encroachment of Government land set in Himachal Pradesh. Several hundred acres of forest land was encroached and apple orchards were raised on it. These are the apple laden orchards which were felled recently by the High Court order sparking off criticism across the country.

Broken by the “unexpected and cruel treatment”, Dr Parmar asked his driver to drop him at the Shimla bus-stand and left for his native village, Bagthan. He could not bear the shock of callous treatment meted out to him and suffered a stroke which made him paralytic and crippled.

In the tragic evening of his life, his second wife Satyawati Dang looked after him with exemplary love and devotion till he breathed his last on May 2, 1981, in Snow Down Hospital, now known as Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC).

When he died, only two senior IAS officers — SM Kanwar and CD Parsheera — and two technocrats — RSS Chauhan and Harender Thakur — were present on his bed side besides family members.

Even, the state assembly, which was on session that day, continued.