Tributes to a four time MLA n Delhi’s popular health n UD minister Dr. Ashok Walia who took Delhi to new developmental heights

Delhi has lost a real time soldier,a devoted doctor, a friend in need and a gem of a human being. A commoner amongst us all, a very submissive personality but still strong enough to make changes, someone who could befriend truely as a guardian when needed.
Dr Walia, not just a politico but a true friend, a brother and most of all a saviour for his people. A silent crusader who would move mountains without making any noise.
A doctor who turned a Politician and ran a successful reign. He made his political debut in the year 1993 from Geeta Colony Assembly.
A member of the 1st , 2nd, 3rd and 4th Legislative Assembly of Delhi representing Laxmi Nagar Assembly and Geeta colony Assembly.
The prominence of his political career came to light as a Cabinet Minister during State Minister Sheila Dixit’s Government,where he held forte as Health, Urban Development, Finance, Land & Building portfolios successfully. As the Health Minister since year 1998, he started opening new hospitals every year and by the end of 2013, had successfully achieved to credit the city with 39 new hospitals 61 dispensaries along with adequate help to EWS in city’s top hospitals.
As a Finance Minister from the year 2004 to 2010, Dr Walia had taken the CADR GDP to 16.65% as a most successful Finance Minister which has only risen to 11.66% from 2015 to 2020.
He not only made his mark in various portfolios but often spearheaded many changes in his city too. As the URBAN DEVELOPMENT MINISTER, he uplifted the Trans Yamuna area with metro, subways, overhead bridges, beautiful wife open roads and the most iconic Akshardham Temple. As a ‘kamyab neta’ of the city he ensured that much development was done in the Trans Yamuna area. His integrity and values paved way for his milestone achievement during the 15 years of being a successful Minister. Bringing irregularities to light during flyover constructions and projects for Commonwealth Games for which he garnered his fair share of backlash.
He got his ease of approach and the zeal to do good for his people from Shri HKL Bhagat ji ( the uncrowned king of Delhi) under whom he did his apprenticeship.
The Corona pandemic got the better of him and at 72 years of life he left us for heavenly abode. He breathed his last in Apollo Hospital.

A man so popular that he was approached by many for various helps even when he was not in seat after 2013. Irrespective he was still a magician to wave his wand and help those in need. A man of great repertoire with the doctors and nurses at many Government hospitals as well as Private hospitals. For many he was a gentle father figure who would hold thier hand when they needed to.

I was lucky to know such a noble man and had shared a few meals with him at my residence. A man of great taste and with a zest for various delicacies, his forever words to me would be ‘ Rawat shaam ko roti tere saath khaani hai, bhabhi ji ko bol dena’ !! A forever fan of chaat served at Bengali Market and the massaledar , khatta paani, a big “bale-bale” was always heard whenever a gol gappa was savoured. Tuesday’s were reserved for Bajrangbali and a visit to the Hanuman Mandir was a must every Tuesday.. blessings were seeked and the yummy ghiya barfi prasad was always part of the chadhawa

A man so noble he will always be missed, a soul never celebrated nor praised, an unsung hero who will long be remembered for his noble deeds!!

A TRIBUTE FROM M S RAWAT , Chairman Mayur Public School, Delhi