Rajput Kalyan Sabha celebrates foundation day in Panchrukhi, vows to fight for community welfare

Sunil Chadha
DHARAMSHALA: The Rajput Kalyan Sabha of Panchrukhi subdivision in Himachal Pradesh celebrated its first foundation day with great enthusiasm and fervour on Tuesday (March 18, 2025).

The Rajput Kalyan Sabha’s executive committee honoured its chief and distinguished guests by presenting them with traditional saffron-coloured Rajput turbans. The event officially commenced with the lighting of a ceremonial lamp and offering of flowers at the statue of Maharana Pratap.

Grand celebration of heritage and unity

The chief guest for the occasion was Kuldeep Singh Thakur, president of the Himachal Pradesh Rajput Kalyan Sabha Trust. The ceremony began with a welcome speech by Ajay Guleria, the Panchrukhi sabha’s head.

Kuldeep Singh addressed the gathering and shared the history of the sabha’s establishment. He revealed that the Panchrukhi unit of the Rajput Kalyan Sabha was founded on March 17, 2024.

Under the leadership of sabha general secretary Ram Singh Sarayal, the unit had successfully enrolled over 100 members, which was reflected in the strong turnout at the event. As a gesture of support for the sabha’s welfare activities, the chief guest donated a grant of ₹51,000.

Focus on community welfare, social upliftment

General secretary Ram Singh Saryal presented the annual report of the sabha, emphasising the work being done at the grassroots level to awaken and empower the Rajput community.

Saryal explained that the sabha had been actively involved in welfare projects within villages, focusing on the social upliftment of Rajput families.

The president of the State Rajput Kalyan Sabha, KS Chambiyal, also shared key initiatives, including the formation of a Rajput Commission, addressing the dormant Rajput Welfare Board and advocating for the removal of reservations that affect the Rajput community.

Event graced by oldest member of sabha

The event was also graced by the oldest member of the Sabha, 91-year-old Sant Ram Kalotra, who was honoured as a distinguished guest.

Additionally, Ammi Chand Saryal and Suresh Katoch shared their experiences with the attendees, discussing how sabha officials assisted in addressing issues of land encroachment by working with local administration according to the law.

Awards and recognition for achievements

The ceremony concluded with the distribution of awards to the winners of various sports and games. Dr Ashok Kumar Saryal, vice-chairman of the management committee of Maharana Pratap International Public School in Dharamgurit Chamunda, spoke about the school’s significant achievement in receiving recognition up to Class 10. He highlighted that different governments had neglected communities like the Rajputs.

Dr Saryal emphasised the importance of unity within the Rajput community and the need for collective action to ensure that their demands are addressed by the government.

In his closing remarks, he thanked all attendees for their efforts in making the event a success and reiterated the importance of continued unity and strength in the fight for the community’s rights.