“Raja Saheb Amar Rahe”: Emotional Tributes Mark Chaubarkha of Virbhadra Singh in Rampur Bushahr
Shimla | June 24, 2025
Rampur Bushahr turned into a sea of humanity on Tuesday as people from all walks of life—royals, rivals, and the common man—gathered for the Chaubarkha ceremony of late Raja Virbhadra Singh, the six-time Chief Minister and the towering face of Himachal Pradesh politics for over five decades.
The event, held a day after his 91st birth anniversary, was a poignant reminder of the lasting imprint the “Raja of the People” has left on the Himalayan state.
The air was thick with emotion as Singh’s son and PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh, along with his mother and Congress MP Pratibha Singh, led the solemn ceremony at their ancestral Padam palace in Rampur.
The Chaubarkha—a Himachali tradition held on the fourth year after the death anniversary—witnessed a massive turnout of party workers, villagers, state leaders, and even critics, all united in reverence.
Governor, Top Congress Brass, and Loyalists Pay Homage
Himachal Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, senior Congress leaders, cabinet colleagues, MLAs, and thousands of supporters arrived to pay floral tributes.
"He was not just a political figure, he was an institution—rooted in our soil and ethos," said the Governor in his brief address.
Former ministers, old rivals turned admirers, and political observers recalled Singh as a “benevolent monarch in a democratic robe,” who knew every by-lane of Himachal and every face in his constituency.
“We didn’t always agree with him, but we could never ignore him,” remarked a senior BJP leader from Shimla, who attended the Chaubarkha out of personal respect.
The Son’s Tribute: “ He will live on in every road, school and heart”
In an emotionally charged tribute, Vikramaditya Singh said, “Baba was not just my father, he was the soul of Himachal. From Chamba to Kinnaur, Kangra to Kaza—he walked, worked, and lived with the people.
His legacy isn’t limited to buildings or schemes, it breathes in the aspirations of every Himachali.”
Vikramaditya also announced that the state government would soon unveil a Virbhadra Singh Memorial Hall in Shimla and a heritage museum in Rampur, preserving documents, photographs, and memorabilia of the late leader’s extraordinary political journey.
The Dominator of Himachal’s Political Chessboard
Virbhadra Singh’s political graph is unmatched—nine-time MLA, five-time MP, and six-time Chief Minister.
From being crowned a royal in the princely state of Bushahr to becoming the Congress’s tallest mass leader in Himachal, his rise was both regal and rustic.
His supporters called him “Raja Saheb”, while his critics called him “the last feudal in politics”—yet none could deny his connect with the masses.
He was both feared and revered. Administrators found him authoritative; the poor found him approachable.
His speeches were sharp, and his comebacks sharper. He could silence bureaucrats and lull critics—all with the same disarming smile.
“He ruled the state like a benevolent king—he would remember names of Class IV employees and know the trouble of apple growers.
That’s what made him irreplaceable,” said Congress leader Harsh Mahajan, choking on his words.
A Legacy Larger Than Life
Singh’s political legacy is now being carried forward by Vikramaditya Singh, who many believe is gradually emerging from his father’s shadow. But as one senior Congress leader whispered at the gathering, “There can never be another Virbhadra. You can inherit a name, but not his fire.”
Even local residents who once protested his decisions joined hands in prayer.
“He built schools, roads, hospitals in places no leader ever visited. We fought him, we voted against him, but we always respected him,” said Prem Dutt, a 70-year-old villager from Rohru.
As the Sun Set Over Satluj...
As the rituals concluded, the palace bells rang softly and conch shells echoed in the backdrop.
Vikramaditya stood still, eyes moist, facing the portrait of his father draped in marigolds. Behind him, thousands chanted in unison—“Raja Saheb Amar Rahe.”
And in that moment, it was clear—Virbhadra Singh may have left the mortal world, but in the valleys of Himachal, his spirit walks on.
