Yashwant Singh Parmar


Yashwant Singh Parmar was an Indian politician. He was a leader of the Indian National Congress and the first Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh state. He was born at Chanhalag village near Basahan in a rajput family in the erstwhile princely state of Sirmour. He studied in the Christian College in Lahore and later received his PhD from Lucknow University in 1944.
Upon the formation of the constituent assembly of India in 1946, he represented Himachal Pradesh in the constituent assembly.

Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh

Yashwant singh parmar was the Chief minister of the state from 8 March 1952 to 31 October 1956. On 1 November 1956 Parmar had to step down as Himachal Pradesh became a Union Territory and was placed under an administrator designated as Lt. Governor. He again became the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh on 1 July 1963 and he was in office till 28 January 1977.

Family

Dr. Parmar was married twice. His first wife, Chandrawati, died early with whom he had four sons - Jitendra Singh Parmar, Jaipal Singh Parmar, Luv Parmar and Kush Parmar. Then he married a widow Satyavati Dang. Satyavati had two daughters Urmil Parmar and Promila Parmar from her first marriage.

Honours

, established in 1985 in Solan is named after him. A statue of Parmar was established in Simla Mall commemorating his contributions to Himachal Pradesh.

Criticism

Yashwant Singh Parmar got stiff opposition from his own party men. Leaders like the then Pradesh Congress President Kunj Behari Lal Butail, who belonged to Kangra alleged discrimination against the merged areas of Himachal Pradesh.