Ashray Sharma Seeks to Honor Pandit Sukh Ram’s Legacy Through Power Project Naming
In a heartfelt appeal that blends personal legacy with public recognition, Ashray Sharma—former Lok Sabha candidate and grandson of the late Pandit Sukh Ram—has urged Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to name the upcoming Thauna Plauan Power Project in Kotli after his grandfather. For Ashray, it’s more than a name—it’s a tribute to a man whose life was deeply intertwined with the growth and transformation of Himachal Pradesh, especially the Mandi region.
Ashray’s request comes on the heels of a proposal by a Municipal Councilor to install a statue of Pandit Sukh Ram in Mandi. He welcomed the gesture, calling it a fitting way to honor a visionary whose developmental initiatives laid the foundation for modern infrastructure and employment in the area. “This power project is a continuation of Pandit ji’s vision,” Ashray said, acknowledging the role of Sadar MLA Anil Sharma in pushing the project forward. He added that he plans to meet the Chief Minister soon to formally present the naming request.
The proposal has reignited conversations around the political legacies of Himachal’s two towering figures—Pandit Sukh Ram and former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh. Their rivalry once shaped the contours of state politics. While Virbhadra Singh’s statue stands tall on Shimla’s Mall Road, Sukh Ram’s supporters believe Mandi deserves a similar tribute to its native son.
Pandit Sukh Ram’s journey from a lawyer in Mandi to a national political figure was marked by both triumph and turbulence. He was elected multiple times to the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly and served in key ministries including Defence, Food, and Public Works. But it was his tenure as Union Minister for Communications in the 1990s that left a lasting imprint—bringing telecommunication services to some of Himachal’s most remote valleys.
His career, however, wasn’t without controversy. The telecom scandal of 1996 cast a shadow over his achievements, leading him to form the Himachal Vikas Congress and briefly align with the BJP before returning to the Congress fold. Despite these political shifts, Sukh Ram remained a formidable force in Mandi’s politics, often seen as a kingmaker whose influence transcended party lines.
As the Thauna Plauan Power Project moves closer to reality, Ashray Sharma’s appeal serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring impact of leaders like Pandit Sukh Ram—and the importance of remembering those who helped shape the region’s future.
