Uttarakhand Mourns Maj Gen Khanduri, an Era of Integrity Ends
DEHRADUN: THE death of Bhuvan Chandra Khanduri on Tuesday marked the end of an era of clean and principled politics in Uttarakhand, with tributes pouring in for the soldier-politician known for his honesty, discipline and simplicity.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami remembered former Chief Minister Major General Bhuvan Chandra Khanduri (Retd.) as a symbol of integrity, discipline and transparent governance, and paid heartfelt tribute to the veteran leader, saying his contribution to the nation and Uttarakhand would always remain an inspiration for future generations.
Paying tribute, Anoop Nautiyal of the Social Development for Communities Foundation said Khanduri represented a “forgotten generation of public leaders for whom service and principles mattered far above personal gain.”
“In an age where politics is increasingly associated with mining, liquor, real estate and commission baji, Khanduri Sir stood out for his exemplary integrity and simplicity,” Nautiyal said.
Recalling his association with the late leader, Nautiyal said he was fortunate to work on the launch of Uttarakhand’s free 108 emergency ambulance service in 2008 under Khanduri’s leadership.
“I remain convinced that had there been any other Chief Minister, the free 108 emergency service may never have started in Uttarakhand.
It was a purely humane initiative without personal or political gains, yet Khanduri Sir backed it wholeheartedly,” he said.
Widely respected across party lines, Khanduri carried his military discipline into public life and earned a reputation for taking tough decisions in the larger public interest without bending to political pressure.
As condolences poured in from across the country, many in Uttarakhand remembered him not just as a former Chief Minister, but as one of the last towering symbols of integrity in Indian public life.
