House remembers three-time MLA Karan Singh

Tribune News Service

Shimla, May 26

Cutting across party lines, Himachal Assembly today paid glowing tributes to three-time MLA and Ayurveda Minister Karan Singh (59), who passed away on May 12.

Members from both the treasury benches and opposition remembered Karan Singh as a warm hearted, honest and straightforward man, who never let power or position corrupt him. The house on the opening day of the two-day special Assembly session said a man like Karan Singh will be missed by one and all for his warmth, humility and thoughtfulness. They also paid tributes to a former MLA from Dharamsala, Mool Raj Padha, who died at the age of 80, on April 8, 2017.

CM Virbhadra Singh, during the obituary in the Assembly, said Karan Singh would be remembered for his commitment to serving the needy and the downtrodden. “He will be remembered for his contribution and may Almighty give strength to his family to bear this irreparable loss,” he said.

An emotional Maheshwar Singh, BJP legislator from Kullu and elder brother of Karan, despite having strained relations with him as the two were on opposite sides of the political spectrum, said his brother’s personality was such that it would be difficult to forget him. “Everyone has to leave this world someday but there are few who leave their imprint and Karan was one of them,” he said.

He also rued that some people even took advantage of his brother’s innocence and goodness and distanced him from his family. “The loss of his young son in a car accident in 2010 broke him and he never came to terms with this tragedy and finally bid adieu to this world,” he regretted.

“The crown prince of this house has been lost forever. He will always be remembered for his warmth, smiling face and colourful attire, he turned up in every day,” remarked former Speaker and Minister Gulab Singh Thakur. He fondly remembered how Karan after marking his attendance would regularly come to the Opposition Lounge to wish everyone and exchange pleasantries. He added that he was undoubtedly the most colourful and warm personality of the house.

Transport Minister GS Bali said Karan’s absence will be felt in this House as he won over everyone with his charm and warmth. “My only regret is that despite time and again telling him to take care of his health, he ignored it and finally left at such an early age,” he regretted. Others including Irrigation and Public Health Minister Vidya Stokes and Health Minister Kaul Singh Thakur, Satpal Singh Satti, Kuldeep Kumar Rakesh Kalia, remembered Karan Singh.