Himachal: Virbhadra Singh, the royal leader who touched hearts

Himachal Pradesh: Long after Sonia Gandhi unveiled the statue of Virbhadra Singh and all the dignitaries had left, people continued to rush to the statue and take a selfie with their favorite leader. Even elderly people were seen walking around with childlike enthusiasm, carrying posters of Virbhadra Singh. Unlike most political gatherings, people seemed in no hurry to leave the venue. Fans of the late leader wanted to linger near his statue and pay their heartfelt tributes. Sita Ram Sharma, 73, from Solan, explained why people were reluctant to leave quickly. Sharma said, “Virbhadra Singh was always ready to help those who came to him. I have seen him give money from his own pocket to the poor and needy. He would become so emotional seeing the plight of people that he would tear up while listening to their problems. And it didn’t matter to him whether the person coming to him was from the Congress or the BJP.” Sharma said, “During his long political career, he developed a deep bond with the common people, and the love and respect he has for them is a result of that bond he maintained throughout his life.” For 65-year-old Kamla Verma, a grassroots party worker from Karsog, humility was Virbhadra Singh’s greatest quality. “He would come and sit with us, listen to us, and always ask if he could help. He treated everyone with respect and affection, never discriminating based on their social or economic status,” said Kamla Verma. “All leaders should try to learn from how he treated people,” she said. Beyond the common people, Virbhadra Singh’s dedication to the public also left a deep impression on fellow politicians. Describing himself as a follower of Virbhadra Singh’s ideology, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri recalled how serving the people was Virbhadra Singh’s top priority. Agnihotri, underlining Virbhadra Singh’s commitment to serving the people, said, “When we used to go on tour with him, before going to sleep he would always ask if anyone wanted to meet him. And then in the morning he would again ask if anyone had come to meet him.”