Dr. Jitendra Singh Moved by Tharoor's Visit to His Old Jammu Clinic
Synopsis
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh revealed that Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, in Jammu as chair of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, visited his former consultation clinic at Auqaf Complex, Gandhi Nagar — where Singh once treated Tharoor's mother-in-law for Type 2 Diabetes. The chamber now houses a pharmacy.
Key Takeaways
Shashi Tharoor , Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, visited Auqaf Complex, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu — Dr.
Jitendra Singh's former consultation clinic.
Singh practised as a diabetologist and physician at the clinic for over two decades before moving to Delhi.
Singh disclosed that he had treated Mrs Das , mother of the late Sunanda Pushkar and Tharoor's mother-in-law, for Type 2 Diabetes at that very clinic.
The chamber is now occupied by a pharmacy outlet .
Tharoor's visit was unannounced; Dr.
Singh expressed regret that he could not be present in Jammu at the time.
The exchange highlights cross-party personal bonds between BJP and Congress parliamentarians rooted in a shared history.
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh on Monday, 22 June 2026, shared a heartfelt account of how Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, currently in Jammu as Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, made an unannounced visit to Dr. Singh's former medical consultation clinic at Auqaf Complex, Gandhi Nagar — the chamber where he practised as a diabetologist and physician for over two decades before moving to Delhi.
Context
Shashi Tharoor, a Congress MP and former Union Minister of State for External Affairs, was in Jammu in his capacity as Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs. The visit to the clinic was described by Dr. Singh as 'an unusual gesture full of friendship and affection.' The chamber, once Dr. Singh's consultation room, is now occupied by a pharmacy outlet.
Dr. Singh noted a striking personal connection: it was in that very clinic that he used to attend to Mrs Das, the mother-in-law of Shashi Tharoor and mother of the late Sunanda Pushkar, who suffered from Type 2 Diabetes and was under Dr. Singh's regular follow-up care.
Policy Backdrop
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs is mandated to oversee the functioning of the Ministry of External Affairs and undertakes field visits across the country as part of its review activities. Tharoor's presence in Jammu is consistent with such committee travel, which routinely takes parliamentarians to different regions to examine governance and policy implementation on the ground.
Dr. Singh, a BJP leader, represented the Udhampur constituency in Jammu and Kashmir before his elevation to the Union Cabinet. His medical career in Jammu spanned more than two decades, making the clinic a significant landmark in his personal and professional biography.
Stakeholders and Impact
The episode underscores a dimension of Indian parliamentary life that rarely surfaces in public discourse: personal bonds and shared histories that cut across party lines. Dr. Singh and Tharoor belong to rival political formations — BJP and Congress respectively — yet the gesture was received with warmth and publicly acknowledged by the Union Minister.
The post also brings renewed attention to the late Sunanda Pushkar and her family's connection to Jammu, as well as to Dr. Singh's pre-political identity as a practising physician. The clinic's transformation into a pharmacy outlet serves as a quiet marker of the passage of time since Dr. Singh's move to Delhi.
What's Next
Dr. Singh expressed regret that he could not accompany Tharoor during the visit, writing, 'I wish I had accompanied you, if only I knew you were going to be in Jammu.' The Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs is expected to continue its programme in the region, and observers will watch for any formal outputs — reports or recommendations — emerging from the committee's Jammu engagement.
The public exchange between the two parliamentarians, across party lines and rooted in a shared personal history, is a reminder that India's political landscape contains quieter, more human threads running beneath the surface of competitive politics.
Point of View
A region central to India's security and federal debates, also carries its own political subtext. The post reinforces Dr. Singh's dual identity as both a Union Minister and a physician rooted in Jammu — an identity he has consistently cultivated in public communication.
NationPress
22 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Shashi Tharoor visit Jammu in June 2026?
Shashi Tharoor was in Jammu as Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, which undertakes field visits across India as part of its oversight mandate.
What was Dr. Jitendra Singh's profession before entering politics?
Dr. Jitendra Singh practised as a diabetologist and physician in Jammu for over two decades, running a consultation clinic at Auqaf Complex, Gandhi Nagar.
What is the connection between Shashi Tharoor and Dr. Jitendra Singh's clinic?
Dr. Singh revealed that he used to treat Mrs Das — the mother of the late Sunanda Pushkar and Tharoor's mother-in-law — for Type 2 Diabetes at his Jammu clinic.
What is the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs?
It is an Indian parliamentary body that oversees the Ministry of External Affairs. It is currently chaired by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor.
What is Dr. Jitendra Singh's current role in the government?
Dr. Jitendra Singh serves as Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, and also holds charge in the Prime Minister's Office and the Ministry of Personnel.
