As Himachal pays tribute to Dr Parmar, his birthplace Chanaalag remains forgotten

“Chanaalag gave you Parmar, Parmar gave you Himachal — now tell us, what have you given to Chanaalag?” This powerful question echoes across the hills of Sirmaur as Himachal Pradesh prepares to observe the birth anniversary of its founding father, Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar, on August 4.

While the state gears up for tributes, events and speeches, the remote village of Chanaalag, where Dr Parmar was born, remains neglected and underdeveloped. Despite being the birthplace of Himachal’s first Chief Minister, the village has not seen any major infrastructure, memorials or tourism development over the years.

Born on August 4, 1906, Dr Parmar was the son of Bhandari Shivanand, a scholar and official in the Sirmaur princely state. His father, valuing education above all, mortgaged family property to support Parmar’s studies. Dr Parmar went on to complete his matriculation in 1922, earned degrees in arts and law from Lahore and Lucknow and later a PhD from Lucknow University. He also received a Doctor of Law from Himachal University.

From 1930 to 1943, he served in the judiciary of Sirmaur state and later became a key figure in the Himachal Hill States Regional Council, actively participating in the Praja Mandal movement and the Suket agitation. He played a crucial role in uniting 31 princely states, laying the foundation of modern Himachal Pradesh.

Dr Parmar became Himachal’s first Chief Minister in 1952, served in Parliament and returned as CM in 1963 before resigning in 1977. He passed away on May 2, 1981, but his legacy continues to shape the state’s identity and governance.

Yet, Chanaalag remains untouched by this legacy. No government — whether Congress or BJP — has taken meaningful steps to honour the village with developmental projects, memorials or inclusion in heritage tourism circuits.

As another birth anniversary approaches, the state’s gratitude is expressed in speeches, but the ground reality remains unchanged.