VIKRAM MAHAJAN
1933 - 2016
1933 - 2016
The two most important days in your life are the day one is born & the other the day one finds out the answer to “why”! Mr. Vikram Mahajan born on the 27th of march 1933 in Lahore (undivided India) was the son of Late Justice Mehr Chand Mahajan ( Former Chief Justice of India) knew exactly the reason to carry the legacy of his family & spread happiness around bringing a smile to the millions through his philanthropic deeds & foresight for his country.
He studied at DAV school Lahore & graduated from St. Stephens College in Delhi. Furth er, he studied law at the Delhi University.
Married to Smt. Madhu Mahajan, he has a son Vivek Mahajan, a well-known & established IT consultant & blessed with twin grandchildren Viraj & Viren Mahajan.
He practiced at the Punjab high court till the year 1967 when he was elected to the Lok Sabha in the same year from Kangra, Kullu & Chamba constituency. He relocated to New Delhi & started his practice at the Supreme Court. He was appointed as senior advocate in the Supreme Court & argued several high profile cases including the ones for late Smt. Indira Gandhi.
Shri Vikram Mahajan was an avid reader & tennis player, he continued to play tennis till his last breath! His passion for his work as a lawyer is apparent as he attended court till the last day before he left for heavenly abode.
Shri Vikram Mahajan was elected to the Lok Sabha for three terms From Kangra & Chamba constituency in Himachal Pradesh (terms 1967-1971, 1971-1977 and 1980-1984). He was also the deputy Whip in the Lok Sabha.
He was instrumental in passing the one line resolution in the parliament on 14th March 1969, declaring that the UT status of Himachal Pradesh be raised to the status of a ‘State’. This task was instrumental in laying a strong foundation of what is today amongst one of the most progressive states in the country.
During his stint in politics he was Union Minister for power & coal where he brought in several development projects to the country & state of Himachal Pradesh including the Chamera project in Dist. Chamba ( HP), Gaj & Baner projects in Dist. Kangra, etc. He was further responsible for 100% electrification of Himachal Pradesh & bringing about the revenue sharing agreement where HP government received 12% revenue of all the power generated & exported by the state to other states.
Further, his vision to get the Dharamshala ( Gaggal ) airport sanctioned along with setting up of the first large hotel ( HPTDC Hotel Dhauladhar, situated in Dharamshala) helped lay the foundation of a strong economy in the tourist dependent state.In his personal capacity Shri Vikram Mahajan launched several welfare schemes to benefit the underprivileged & he strongly advocated the cause of women empowerment.
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Today under the aegis of the his charitable trust several vocational training centers are running to educate & train the women in developing vocational skill so that they become financially independent in the dominatingly patriarch society. Over 500 + women benefit from the vocational development programs as well as other welfare schemes such as the cow donation to poor widows below the BPL as well as the marriage of girls belonging to poor families below BPL in the region of district Kangra, H.P.
Through his charitable trust he has also been providing financial assistance to poor widows & meritorious girl students by providing monthly stipends. Further the trust has also provided vocational training to the women inmates imprisoned in Dharamshala Jail enhancing their prospects of earning a respectable living during & post tenure. Besides, he extended legal & financial support free of cost to the poor who could not afford the legal costs while awaiting justice.
His contribution to the country & state of Himachal Pradesh will continue to be remembered for generations to come!
