The people of the state seem to visualize strong and vibrant leadership qualities in their new Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, whose sole aim is of ‘Vyavstha Pariwartan‘. His capability to work differently from his predecessors and his strong and decisive approach has instilled confidence in the people, which was lacking for quite some time.
Setting an example of hard work in his stint of about one and a half months as the Chief Minister, he has proved his leadership abilities by the decisions he made for the welfare of the weaker sections, particularly for the destitute and elderly class. Focusing on the welfare of orphans, destitute women and elderly homeless, the Chief Minister has given a clear indication to uplift the down trodden. Unlike the other state leaders, Sukhu after taking the oath, headed straight away to the Balika Ashram, to share the grievances of the inmates, which reflected his sentiments for those without anyone to take care of. Going a step ahead he constituted the Chief Minister’s Sukh-Ashraya Sahayata Kosh for funding the higher education of destitute children and also donated his first salary towards the Kosh, besides motivating his cabinet colleagues to do the same and appealed to the people to voluntarily donate towards this noble cause. Not only this, his decisions to provide festival grant and annual apparel allowance to all the inmates of the ashrams and old age homes, etc further strengthened his concept of the welfare state.
Stepping in to student politics in the year 1981-82, Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, alias ‘Sukhu Bhai’ was known for his firm approach. Now, when he has got an opportunity to serve his State after becoming the Chief Minister after four decades of hard struggle, his commitment to provide transparent, accountable and responsible governance has gained him popularity and the people can be heard saying that ‘Sukh ki Sarkar’ is now visible in its real perspective. It was due to the firm steps taken by the Chief Minister with the motive of zero tolerance against corruption, he came down heavily on the racket of ‘Jobs on Sale’ in Himachal Pradesh Subordinate Staff Selection Commission, which had become the hub of corruption. His clear direction to deal with drug and mining mafia without any political interference shows his commitment towards a welfare state. Working effortlessly from morning to late evenings, chairing meetings, meeting people, touring to different parts of the state etc., Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has revealed his intentions as how to go for the targets set for achieving the scattered development and welfare goals and prepare the road map for the rapid development of the state.
Even in the Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra, the Chief Minister after walking about 25 kilometers with him, resumed his duty the very next day with the same vigour and enthusiasm visiting different parts of the state and conducting late night official meetings on reaching Shimla. His functioning has energized the bureaucracy and everyone is seen working with renewed zeal. Rahul Gandhi appreciated his dedication towards his people and his work as well. Gandhi has envisioned a hard-working leader in Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, who listens to the voice of the common man standing last in the row. He eulogized Sh. Sukhu as a leader, who does not have an iota of arrogance and is an ordinary personality. This is the reason why Rahul Gandhi also affectionately addressed him as ‘Sukhu Bhai’, a brother of all, in a public meeting. This praise received from the party high command has raised the stature of Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu in the political circle as well as in the eyes of the people of the state.
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
