Munish Sood
SERAJ:
In the wake of cloudbursts and flashfloods that have devastated a large number of villages across his home constituency Seraj in Mandi district, former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur has set out on a mission, walking several km daily to reach out to the affected people. And all this is happening away from the media glare.
After the June 30 rains wreaked havoc, Jai Ram Thakur has covered more than 150 km on foot in 28 worst-hit panchayats, offering help and solace to the victims who have lost their near and dear ones as well as life’s savings in the mayhem.
Instead of issuing press statements, Jai Ram Thakur put on his shoes and trekked through washed-out roads, landslide-hit areas and remote hill trails, visiting families who had lost everything. His route stretched from Kuklah to Bara, Kandha, Sharan, Muharagh, Bagshyad, Thunag, Lamba Thachha, Janjheli, Thunadi, Muktabharan and several other villages that had been cut off from the outside world.
Reaching out to families living in distant areas
In several cases, he walked hours to meet just one family, to hear just one story, to lend a hand where bulldozers and helicopters couldn’t reach, says a resident.
An elderly man in Bagsyhad recounted: “I remember his first election — he came by car. This time, he’s on foot. That says everything about what kind of a leader he truly is. This wasn’t a rally or for optics. Jai Ram Thakur made it clear — this is not politics. This is pain and it demands presence. There were no slogans, stage or demand for votes, but only one assurance to every broken household that ‘you are not alone’.”
He camped for days near Janjheli, surviving on minimal food and sleep, walking under harsh rain, across landslides and broken terrain. The residents watched in disbelief as the former CM arrived at their doorsteps unannounced, alone, often with a backpack and a walking stick.
Swift action as Army choppers, medical relief arrive
While political leaders scrambled to issue statements from the capital, Jai Ram Thakur coordinated directly with the Centre, resulting in two Army helicopters being dispatched swiftly for rescue operations. He prioritised medical aid, food packets and essential supplies, and provided real-time field reports to decision-makers — without chasing headlines.
“A lifetime’s earnings were destroyed in seconds. But we will not give up. I am here, like a rock. We will rebuild together. I have dedicated my life to the development of Seraj. Seeing it in this condition is heartbreaking, but we will rise again — together,” he wrote in an emotional Facebook post.
As his journey unfolded, an outpouring of heartfelt responses flooded social media and local gatherings. People across political, social and professional backgrounds called him what the system rarely allows — a true people’s leader.
Rajesh Kapoor, a renowned social worker, wrote: “The love you have for people in your heart, I’ve never seen anything like it. You’re not just a leader, but a true people’s champion.”
Jagmohan Surya, a local resident, says: “There’s a reason you rule the hearts of Himachal. You are the pride of us hill folk. We’ve seen many Chief Ministers, but none like you. A hundred salutes to you.”
PN Sharma, a retired officer from Hamirpur, says: “He’s been camping near Janjehli for days, walking trails where even path is missing. May God give him the strength. Long live Jai Ram Thakur.”
Praise for former CM across party lines
Even political opponents acknowledged Jai Ram Thakur’s selfless conduct. Chet Ram Thakur, senior Congress leader and former Milkfed chairman, said: “We’re on different sides in politics, but I salute what Jai Ram Thakur is doing in this crisis. This is not politics. This is humanity.”
Dr Rajeev Bindal, BJP state president, who joined relief work in Thunag, said: “Jai Ram ji isn’t here for votes, but to help people. This is the kind of leadership the mountains remember for generations.”
Today the tireless and energetic Jairam Thakur trekked five kilometers uphill from Thunag to reach the remote village of Deji Pakhred, where 11 people were swept away and went missing during a devastating flash flood on the night of June 30. The village, perched high on a mountain slope, has remained cut off since the disaster.
As Jairam met with grieving families and assessed the ground situation, locals expressed their anguish over the government’s sluggish response and the absence of top leadership.
“Even after nine days, our Chief Minister hasn’t set foot in Thunag, let alone Deji,” said Purshotam Sharma, a resident of Seraj. “It seems he no longer travels by road — unless there’s a helicopter, he doesn’t move. Are helicopters the only way our leaders now connect with the people?”
The villagers’ frustration was evident, as they continue to search for the missing with limited support, washed away roads and devastating landslides.
