Dharamshala: Secretary Karma Choeying of the Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR) attended the Shradhanjali prayer service for late Shri Virbhadra Singh, former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, at Dharamshala government college on Saturday, 31 July 2021. Shri Virbhadra Singh passed away on 8 July 2021.
In his Shradhanjali note, Secretary Karma Choeying wrote:
“The passing away of Raja Virbhadra Singh was an immense loss for India and in particular to the people of Himachal Pradesh. He had dedicated his almost entire lifespan to the well being of the people of this state as the Chief Minister for several terms.
Personally, he was close to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and have been genuine friends all along. Like other former Chief Ministers of the State, Raja Saab had been very generous to the Tibetan refugees living in the state. Historically, there have been close ties between the people of the erstwhile princely state of Bushair to which Raja sahib belonged and their adjacent nieghbours in Western Tibet.
We remain forever grateful to him for his hospitality and for compassionately taking care of the Tibetan refugees living in the State. We also revere and admire him for his dedicated service to the people of this nation and in particular to the people of the Himachal Pradesh.
His Holiness in his condolence message to Smt. Pratibha Singh ji wrote, “ Dedicating himself to the service of others, Virbhadra Singh led a long and meaningful life”.
Taking opportunity of this samaroh, on behalf of the Sikyong Penpa Tsering, The president of the Central Tibetan Administration, I offer my sincere shradhanjali to Swargyai Raja Sahib and offer deepest condolence to Smt. Pratibha Singh ji and the Family.”