Quick Info→
Death Cause: Cardiac Arrest
Hometown: Mandi, Himachal Pradesh
Age: 94 Years
| Bio/Wiki | |
|---|---|
| Other Name(s) | Sukhram [1]ABP Live |
| Full name | Sukh Ram Sharma [2]Aaj Tak |
| Profession(s) | Politician and Agriculturist |
| Names Earned | • Pandit Sukh Ram [3]India Today • King of Mandi [4]Hindustan Times • Kingmaker of Himachal [5]Hindustan Times |
| Physical Stats & More | |
| Height (approx.) | in centimeters– 165 cm in meters– 1.65 m in feet & inches– 5’ 5” |
| Eye Colour | Brown |
| Hair Colour | Salt & Pepper |
| Politics | |
| Political Party | Indian National Congress (1962-1997), (2019-May 2022)
Himachal Vikas Congress (6 July 1997-dissolved in 2004) Bharatiya Janata Party (2017–2019) |
| Political Journey |
Political Journey 1962-1963: Member of the Territorial Council, Himachal Pradesh 1963-1985: Member of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly 1963-1984: Represented Mandi Assembly Seat 1967-1972 and 1980-1985: Minister, Himachal Pradesh (held various portfolios) 1972-1977: General Secretary, PCC(I), Himachal Pradesh 1984: Elected to Lok Sabha (Eighth) and served as the junior minister in Rajiv Gandhi government September 1985-October 1986: Union Minister of State, Defense Production and Supplies 1998: Post poll alliance with the BJP |
| Personal Life | |
| Date of Birth | 27 July 1927 (Wednesday) |
| Birthplace | Arnyana, Kotli Tungal (Kotli), Mandi, British Punjab (now Himachal Pradesh, India) |
| Date of Death | 11 May 2022 |
| Place of Death | AIIMS, New Delhi |
| Age (at the time of death) | 94 Years |
| Death Cause | Cardiac Arrest [6]The Tribune |
| Zodiac sign | Leo |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Hometown | Arnyana, Kotli Tungal (Kotli), Mandi, British Punjab (now Himachal Pradesh, India) |
| College/University | • Panjab University, Chandigarh • Law Faculty, Delhi University, Delhi |
| Educational Qualification(s) | • BA from Panjab University, Chandigarh • LLB from Law Faculty, Delhi University, Delhi [7]Hindustan Times |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Caste | Brahmin [8]The Indian Express |
| Address | Samkhetar Street, Mandi Town-175001, Himachal Pradesh |
| Controversy | Sukh Ram was sentenced to jail for five years in 2011 for his involvement in corruption which was conducted while he was serving as the Minister of Communications and Information Technology in 1996. He was convicted of taking Rs 3 lakh as a bribe from a private firm Haryana Telecom Ltd (HTL) for giving a contract of Rs 30 crore to supply 3.5 lakh conductor kilometres (LCKM) of Polythene Insulated Jelly Filled (PIJF) cables to the Telecom Department. [9]Firstpost As per a leading newspaper, during the hearing of his case in the Delhi Court, Sukh Ram said, “I(Sukhram) am an 86-year-old person and attending the trial for the past 12 to 13 years. I suffer from old age-related ailments and have lost my wife. Therefore, a lenient view may be taken. As such it is not a case where the government has lost any money. The CBI allegation was that he (Sukhram) took bribe but no financial loss has been caused to the Government exchequer.” In reply, the CBI prosecutor said, “He is a “habitual offender” and sought maximum punishment for him.” While talking to the reporters, Sukh Ram said, “Despite the fact that age is not on my side, I have not lost hope for justice. I am the victim of a political conspiracy. My fight will continue till I come out clean from the court of law.” |
| Relationships & More | |
| Marital Status (at the time of death) | Widower |
| Marriage Date | 6 August 1953 |
| Family | |
| Wife/Spouse | Late Ram Devi |
| Children | He had two sons and three daughters. One of his sons Anil Sharma is a politician from BJP, agriculturist, businessman. [10]Hindustan Times |
| Parents |
Father– Late Shri Bhav Dev Mother– Name Not Known |
| Siblings | He had nine siblings. |
| Other Relative(s) | Grandson(s)- 2 • Aashray Sharma (politician) • Aayush Sharma (actor; married to Arpita Khan) |
| Money Factor | |
| Assets/Properties (as of 2009) | • Movable Assets and Immovable Assets: Rs 4.25 crore • Cash: Rs 3.61 crore • Jewellery: Rs 10.29 lakh • Bank Balance: Rs 4.29 lakh • Household Articles: Rs 10.30 lakh Gross Total: 8.10 crore (approx.) [11]The Economic Times |
Some Lesser Known Facts About Sukh Ram
- Sukh Ram was an Indian politician and agriculturist. He was known for bringing a revolution in the telecom industry in India during his tenure as the Minister of Communications and Information Technology from 1993 to 1996.
- In 1953, after completing his graduation in law, he started practising as a lawyer at the Mandi District law courts.
- He started his political career with Congress, and later, due to a tiff in the party, he left Congress. However, he rejoined the party in 2019.
- After a successful tenure with his independent political party Himachal Vikas Congress, he merged the party with Congress in 2004.
- He had a successful political career with the BJP and served as the Power Minister, Himachal Pradesh.
An old photo of Sukh Ram
- He is considered one of the key persons in bringing mobile phones to India. In an interview, he said,
Once I had gone to Japan as Telecom Minister. I saw that the driver had kept the mobile phone in his pocket. Seeing this he felt that if Japan can have this technology, then why not in India. Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, also wanted to make computers and telephones door-to-door in India.”
- He was related to Salman Khan’s family as Salman’s sister Arpita Khan is married to the grandson of Sukh Ram named Aayush Sharma.
- On 4 May 2022, Sukh Ram had a brain stroke and was immediately admitted to a regional hospital in Mandi. Himachal Pradesh. His condition went critical, and he was airlifted to the AIIMS, Delhi. After being on a ventilator for two days, he died of a massive cardiac arrest on 11 May 2022.
- His grandson Aashray Sharma confirmed the news of his demise on Twitter. He tweeted,
End of an era. Alvida Dada ji abi nhi bjegi phone ki ghanti (good by Dada ji, now the bell of your phone will not ring.”
- Sukh Ram’s other grandson Aayush took to Instagram to share the news.
Aayush Sharma’s Instagram post for Sukh Ram
References/Sources:[+]
| ↑1 | ABP Live |
|---|---|
| ↑2 | Aaj Tak |
| ↑3 | India Today |
| ↑4, ↑5, ↑7, ↑10 | Hindustan Times |
| ↑6 | The Tribune |
| ↑8 | The Indian Express |
| ↑9 | Firstpost |
| ↑11 | The Economic Times |