Towering political icon of Uttarakhand Major General Khanduri passes away . An end of an era.
It’s indeed an end of an era. The towering politician of Uttarakhand who joined active politics after his retirement as Major General in India Army , the two time chief minister of Uttarakhand , the nephew of the former Uttarakhand Pradesh CM and several times union minister a stalwart politician H. N.Bahuguna, Major general ( Retired) Bhuvan Chandra Khanduri has breathed his last at a super speciality hospital in Dehradun after being admitted there for several days in ICU due age related ailments leading to multiple organ failure failure.
Khanduri died at the age of 91 leaving behind his wife , daughter Ritu and son Manish Khanduri.
Ritu Khanduri is the vociferous Speaker in Uttarakhand assembly,vreoresebtung Kotdwar assembly constituency and son also in BJP joining the saffron party from Congress.
He had earlier contested from Pauri parliamentary constituency on Congress ticket against the then BJP MP Tirath Singh Rawat from Pauri Garhwal Constituency.
Major General Bhuvan Chandra Khanduri joined active politics after his retirement on the invitation of the then RSS chief to counter the influence of the late H.N.Bahuguna, his maternal uncle in Garhwal Uttarakhand giving him the BJP ticket in 1991.
Khanduri was first elected to Lok Sabha from Garhwal in Uttarakhand in 1991 and in subsequent elections.
He was the Minister of State (with independent charge) of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways from 2000 to 2003 in the Union government headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
He was elevated to cabinet rank in 2003, and held the post until the end of the tenure of the NDA government in May 2004.
Khanduri became popular for immensely contributing in the construction of the network of National highways across the country and bulding golden Quadrilateral including building roads in Uttarakhand.
He was the senior leader of Bhartiya Janata Party, having served on various parliamentary committees.
As a union cabinet minister, he implemented BJP’s National Highways Development project.
At the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, he executed the National Highways Development Plan of the NDA and gave shape to the Golden Quadrilateral Project connecting the major Indian cities and the North–South and East–West Corridor Project.
In February 2007, he led the BJP to victory in the assembly elections in Uttarakhand and was subsequently chosen to be the new Chief Minister of the state.
Among Khanduri’s first accomplishments as Chief Minister was to cut expenses by reducing his own security and that of politicians and administrative officials, cutting back on their allowance for foreign trips and restricting the use of the Chief Minister’s discretionary fund to the projects approved by the district magistrates.
Following his election, he toured the entire state to gain first hand information about the conditions of the people.
On 11 September 2011, Khanduri announced the setting up of a stronger Lokayukta to check rampant corruption.
The Uttarakhand Government approved the draft of the Lokayukta Bill, bringing within its ambit all the ministers, including the Chief Minister, the MLAs and the government servants including IAS and IPS officers, with a provision of life imprisonment or more severe punishment. The eco-friendly and sustainable industrial development of the state is, inter-alia, among the top priorities of Khanduri.
Khanduri was known for his outstanding administrative acumen, transparency, integrity and dexterity in the development of Uttarakhand.
He was known as a well read and experienced chief minister who in Army served Khanduri served in Corps of Engineers, Indian Army, from 1954 to 1991. The significant positions held in the army by him include:
Commander of Regiment (during the Indo-Pakistan War in 1971)
Chief Engineer in the Army
Commander of an Engineering Brigade
Additional Military Secretary at Army Headquarters Additional Director General in the Engineer-in-Chief’s division at the Army Headquarters.
In 1983, he received the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal from the President of India for his extraordinary contribution to the Indian Army. He retired as a major general. His acumen used for the overall development of the state. His passing away is the huge loss for the state and the nation , the void difficult to be filled.
He was five times MP from Garhwal constituency I.e. from 1991 to 1996, 1998 to 1999, 1999 to 2004, 2004 to 2007, 2014 to 2019. He served as chief minister of Uttarakhand frim 2007 to 2009 and again from 2011 to 2012 and his track record was completely blot free. Om Shanti.
The chief minister of Uttarakhand Pushkar Singh Dhami while expressing his deepest condolences said : We have received the heartbreaking news of the passing of former Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, the esteemed Major General Bhuvan Chandra Khanduri(Retd.) Ji.
While serving in the Indian Army, Shri
KhanduriJi exemplified unparalleled
dedication to national service, discipline, and commitment.
From his military life to his public life, his persona remained devoted to the nation’s interests and public service.
In his political career, he established a strong identity for Uttarakhand’s development, good governance,
transparency, and honest work ethic.
As a people’s leader, he took numerous
important decisions for the state’s progress and, through his simplicity, forthrightness, and efficiency, carved a special place in
the hearts of the people. His demise is an
irreparable loss not only for Uttarakhand
but for national politics as well wrote Dhami on X.
The former Air Vice Marshal ( Veteran) VSM Rajesh Bhandari while expressing his gratitude said : Deeply saddened to hear about the demise of our beloved Gen B. C. Khanduri Ji. His remarkable service to the nation, dedication to society, and inspiring leadership will always be remembered with immense respect and gratitude.
Heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and all those whose lives he touched. Praying for the departed soul to attain eternal peace. 🙏
Om Shanti.
The founder of SDC Foundation, Dehradun and an environment and social activist, writer and reformer Anoop Nautiyal said :
With the passing away of Major General Shri Bhuwan Chandra Khanduri Ji this morning, an era of integrity in public life comes to an end. Khanduri Sir lived a life defined by honesty, discipline and courage; dedicating himself wholeheartedly to serving both the nation and the people of Uttarakhand. His public spirited decision-making was crystal clear and once convinced that something served the larger interest of the state and its people, he pursued it with unwavering conviction said Nautiyal while expressed his condolences to this great leader.
