HP CM Sukhu pays tribute to former President Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma

Key Takeaways

CM Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu offered tribute to former President Dr.

Shankar Dayal Sharma on his birth anniversary via the official CMO Himachal Pradesh account.

Shankar Dayal Sharma served as India's ninth President from 1992 to 1997 , and previously as Vice President and state Governor.

He was recognised as a legal scholar and a committed upholder of constitutional values throughout his public life.

CM Sukhu has led Himachal Pradesh under the Indian National Congress since December 2022 .

The tribute follows an established cross-party tradition of Indian state governments honouring former constitutional heads on their birth anniversaries.

On his birth anniversary, former President Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma was remembered Wednesday for a life defined by constitutional fidelity and tireless public service — with Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu leading the state's official tribute.

Posting from the official Chief Minister's Office account, CM Sukhu offered his respects in Hindi: 'पूर्व राष्ट्रपति डॉ. शंकर दयाल शर्मा जी की जयंती पर उन्हें सादर नमन' ['Respectful homage to former President Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma on his birth anniversary'], adding that his dedication to national service and commitment to the people 'will always be remembered with honour.' Dr. Sharma served as India's ninth President from 1992 to 1997, having previously held the office of Vice President and served as Governor of states including Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. A trained lawyer and legal scholar, he was widely regarded as a steadfast custodian of constitutional values across decades of public life. Such anniversary tributes from state governments are a settled part of India's official ceremonial calendar — a cross-party practice of acknowledging former constitutional heads whose legacies transcend electoral politics. For CM Sukhu, who has led Himachal Pradesh since December 2022 under the Indian National Congress, the gesture reaffirms the state administration's alignment with that national tradition. Dr. Sharma's legacy — rooted in law, governance, and an abiding belief in democratic institutions — continues to draw formal recognition from leaders across the political spectrum, a quiet measure of the esteem in which India's constitutional officeholders are held long after their terms end.

Point of View

Honouring Dr. Sharma, himself associated with the Congress tradition, reinforces a sense of ideological lineage without requiring any policy statement. The cross-party durability of such tributes also reflects how India's constitutional offices retain a symbolic authority that outlasts the politics of any single era. Expect similar gestures from other state governments as the anniversary cycle continues.

NationPress

19 Aug 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma?

Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma was India's ninth President, serving from 1992 to 1997. He previously served as Vice President and as Governor of Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, and was known for his legal scholarship and commitment to constitutional values.

Why did HP CM Sukhu pay tribute to Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma?

CM Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu paid tribute on Dr. Sharma's birth anniversary, following the established practice of Indian state governments honouring former constitutional heads to acknowledge their public service legacy.

When did Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu become Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh?

Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu became Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh in December 2022, representing the Indian National Congress.

What did CM Sukhu say about Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma?

CM Sukhu said that Dr. Sharma's dedication to national service and his commitment to the people 'will always be remembered with honour,' offering respectful homage on his birth anniversary.

Which party does Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhu belong to?

CM Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu belongs to the Indian National Congress.