Virbhadra Singh: Statesman who chose service over spectacle

The historic Ridge in Shimla is set to witness a rare tribute on October 13, when an imposing statue of the late Virbhadra Singh, six-time Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, will be unveiled. Originally planned for June 23, his birth anniversary, the ceremony was postponed due to unavoidable circumstances. For his admirers, supporters and family, this marks the fulfilment of a long-cherished dream to eternally etch his presence in the heart of the capital he served and loved since childhood.

Yet, encapsulating his political journey is an arduous task. What can, however, be examined with urgency is how his ideals contrast sharply with today’s coarsened political discourse. Despite his royal lineage and towering stature, he treated every individual with respect and dignity. He was accessible to the common man and responsive to even the smallest of requests. That humility left a deep imprint on me, one that endured far beyond his tenure in office.

People-centric governance

For citizens of Himachal and those who knew him personally, the moment is both commemorative and deeply emotional. Virbhadra Singh epitomised people-centric governance grounded in humility, accessibility and a profound commitment to public service. A royal by birth, he chose democratic engagement over privilege, guided by Gandhian simplicity and an inclusive vision of development.

His model of governance wasn’t driven by populism, but by a deep understanding of Himachal’s geographical and socio-economic complexity. He invested in health, education and rural infrastructure not for applause, but because he believed these were the foundations of a just state. Even in heated political battles, he never allowed discourse to turn personal or toxic.

Modern politics in stark contrast

In today’s political climate, ideals like his face are near extinction. Hyper-nationalism, centralised power and personality cults have replaced participatory politics and internal democracy. Optics triumph over substance, loyalty yields to opportunism and grassroots leaders like him are hard to find. Singh’s legacy stands today as a stark critique of modern politics and a reminder of what principled leadership looks like.

Beyond electoral arithmetic

Singh’s career cannot be defined by the arithmetic of elections alone, though his record is remarkable. He served as Chief Minister for 21 years, ranking among the longest-serving heads of state governments in India, alongside Pawan Kumar Chamling, Jyoti Basu, Gegong Apang and Lal Thanhawla. But more than tenure, it was the ethos of his politics that stood out.

Early life & entry into politics

Born on June 23, 1934, in Sarahan (Shimla district), Singh was educated at elite institutions—Colonel Brown School, Bishop Cotton and St. Stephen’s College, Delhi. He initially aspired to be a professor, not a politician. Destiny intervened in 1962 when Lal Bahadur Shastri summoned him to Delhi to meet Prime Minister Nehru.

Recalling that day, Singh once said, “I got a phone call from Shastri ji who said I had to meet Pandit Nehru. I didn’t know what I had done, but I went to Teen Murti Marg where Indiraji took me to Panditji. He tested my knowledge on Himachal and democracy. Next thing I knew, I had a Lok Sabha ticket and I won. I was just 25.”

Governance with dignity

That unexpected initiation launched a political odyssey that reshaped Himachal. Popularly known as Raja Sahib, Singh never let his royal roots define his democratic conduct. He engaged the masses directly, shunned sycophancy and maintained decency even with adversaries. As CM, he gave top priority to build roads to remote villages, ensured electricity in inaccessible areas and laid strong foundations in health and education. His sharp political instincts were always tempered by dignity. Unlike today’s climate of smear campaigns, Singh never resorted to personal attacks.

Disillusionment with changing politics

In his later years, Singh often voiced disillusionment with the erosion of values in politics. He regretted how merit had been eclipsed by lobbying and capability replaced with convenience. Politics, in his view, had turned corrosive, bereft of ideology and integrity.

One of his enduring convictions was the need to inject fresh energy into political life. He strongly advocated the inclusion of young people, not merely for optics, but for reinvigorating democracy with new ideas and clean intent. For Singh, age was secondary to passion and principle.

Enduring power of grace

Virbhadra Singh is no more. But the values he stood for — decency in debate, empathy in leadership and integrity in public life — still have the power to inspire. His legacy is not just of governance, but of grace. And in today’s grim political theatre, that may be the most powerful reminder of all.