CM Sukhu pays tribute to HP's first CM on 120th birth anniversary
Synopsis
Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu paid floral tributes to Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar on his 120th birth anniversary, honouring the founding Chief Minister who steered the state to full statehood in 1971 and pledging to advance his legacy of development and public service.
Key Takeaways
CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu offered floral tributes at the statue of Dr.
Yashwant Singh Parmar on 4 August 2026 .
The occasion marks Dr.
Parmar's 120th birth anniversary .
Parmar served as Himachal Pradesh's first Chief Minister and was instrumental in achieving full statehood on 25 January 1971 .
CM Sukhu pledged to carry forward Parmar's ideals of 'identity, self-respect, and development' for Himachal Pradesh.
The tribute reinforces the Indian National Congress government's claim to Parmar's founding legacy as a political and developmental touchstone.
On a morning marked by remembrance, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu garlanded the statue of Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar — the state's founding Chief Minister — on his 120th birth anniversary, pledging to carry forward the ideals that shaped modern Himachal Pradesh.
Posting on X, CM Sukhu wrote: 'प्रदेश के प्रथम मुख्यमंत्री डॉ. यशवंत सिंह परमार जी की 120वीं जयंती के अवसर पर उनकी प्रतिमा पर पुष्प अर्पित कर श्रद्धांजलि अर्पित की।' — 'On the occasion of the 120th birth anniversary of the state's first Chief Minister Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar, I offered floral tributes at his statue.' He added that Dr. Parmar had laid a 'strong foundation of Himachal's identity, self-respect, and development — upon which today's modern Himachal stands.'
The man who built a mountain state
Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar is widely regarded as the architect of Himachal Pradesh. He served as the state's Chief Minister across multiple terms, steering Himachal through its formation as a Union Territory in 1948 and then championing its elevation to full statehood, which it achieved on 25 January 1971. His tenure was defined by a focus on land reforms, rural connectivity, and building administrative institutions from the ground up in a largely hilly, agrarian state with limited infrastructure. His legacy is particularly significant for the Indian National Congress, which has historically positioned itself as the custodian of Parmar's vision for the state. For CM Sukhu, invoking that legacy carries both historical and political weight — it connects the present government to the founding chapter of Himachal's statehood story.Sukhu's pledge on development and public service
CM Sukhu stated that his government draws inspiration from Dr. Parmar's ideals and values, and is 'advancing the resolve for Himachal's progress and public service.' The tribute was not merely ceremonial — it framed the current administration's development agenda as a continuation of the founding Chief Minister's unfinished work. The 120th birth anniversary marks a significant milestone, and the occasion serves as an annual moment for Himachal's political class to reaffirm commitments to the state's foundational promises: equitable development across difficult terrain, preservation of local identity, and grassroots governance. Seven decades after statehood, the ideals Dr. Parmar planted in those early years remain the benchmark every Himachal government is measured against — and CM Sukhu has made clear he intends to be measured favourably.Point of View
Self-respect, and development' allows Sukhu to frame his administration not as a new chapter but as a continuation of unfinished historical work. It is a familiar but effective Congress playbook in the state: own the founding story, own the mandate. Whether the government's on-ground delivery matches the rhetorical inheritance is the question voters in Himachal will eventually answer.
NationPress
4 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar?
Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar was the first Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, widely regarded as the architect of the state. He played a pivotal role in Himachal's formation as a Union Territory in 1948 and its elevation to full statehood on 25 January 1971.
Why is Dr. Parmar's 120th birth anniversary significant?
The 120th birth anniversary of Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar, observed on 4 August 2026, is a major milestone that prompts Himachal Pradesh's political leadership to reaffirm commitments to the founding Chief Minister's vision of development, identity, and public service.
What did CM Sukhu say on Dr. Parmar's birth anniversary?
CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that Dr. Parmar laid a 'strong foundation of Himachal's identity, self-respect, and development' and that his government draws inspiration from Parmar's ideals to advance the state's progress and public service.
When did Himachal Pradesh become a full state?
Himachal Pradesh achieved full statehood on 25 January 1971, under the leadership of Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar, who had championed the cause for years since the state's formation as a Union Territory in 1948.
Which party does CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu belong to?
CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu belongs to the Indian National Congress, the same party with which Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar was associated, making the tribute a reaffirmation of the party's historical roots in Himachal Pradesh.
