![The shepherd of the hill state](https://cdn.magzter.com/1588254286/1697950999/articles/HsCcHc_WT1697968753796/THE-SHEPHERD-OF-THE-HILL-STATE.jpg)
The best leadership model is one that leads by example. This is a dictum that Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, clearly believes in. Barely six months after he took office, the hill state was hit by flash floods leading to landslides that left thousands homeless. The Congress Chief Minister appealed to the BJP-led central government for a Rs 8,000 crore special relief package in view of the unprecedented devastation. Sources in the CM's office claim that all they have got so far is Rs 360 crore of their procedural due from the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF), which is given every year. And of this sum, as much as Rs 315 crore was pending from previous years, due to an audit objection. When the state government pressed its case, a further sum of Rs 189 crore was released by the Centre, despite the CM putting in an additional claim of Rs 12,000 crore as compensation for the devastation.
As expected, the BJP claimed otherwise and did its own maths to counter this, but while the politics went back and forth, the state suffered. That is when Sukhu and his wife delved into their own bank accounts and contributed Rs 51 lakh, their entire personal savings, to the Aapda Rahat Kosh, disaster relief fund. The state was quick to follow its leader; with even little children marching to the CM's office, piggy banks in hand. An impressive Rs 225 crore was collected in what is easily Himachal Pradesh's largest public donation drive.
This story is from the October 22, 2023 edition of The Sunday Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 22, 2023 edition of The Sunday Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![DOMESTIC SPACES AS MUSEUMS OF EVERYDAY LIFE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21674/1734225/-PP39cyd01718489097167/DOMESTIC-SPACES-AS-MUSEUMS-OF-EVERYDAY-LIFE.jpg)
DOMESTIC SPACES AS MUSEUMS OF EVERYDAY LIFE
Traditional knowledge systems of India are profound, deep rooted and insightful.
![INDIA’S FIRST VANDE BHARAT SLEEPER TRAINS WILL BE ON TRACK WITHIN 2 MONTHS, SAYS VAISHNAW](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21674/1734225/cZjoI1hnV1718489053895/INDIAS-FIRST-VANDE-BHARAT-SLEEPER-TRAINS-WILL-BE-ON-TRACK-WITHIN-2-MONTHS-SAYS-VAISHNAW.jpg)
INDIA’S FIRST VANDE BHARAT SLEEPER TRAINS WILL BE ON TRACK WITHIN 2 MONTHS, SAYS VAISHNAW
Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday said that India's first Vande Bharat sleeper trains will be on track within two months.
![ABHISHEK BANERJEE TAKES HIATUS AMID SPECULATION OF RIFT WITHIN TMC](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21674/1734225/1i57kfZqO1718488977896/ABHISHEK-BANERJEE-TAKES-HIATUS-AMID-SPECULATION-OF-RIFT-WITHIN-TMC.jpg)
ABHISHEK BANERJEE TAKES HIATUS AMID SPECULATION OF RIFT WITHIN TMC
This sudden decision by Abhishek is being read in Bengal and Delhi as a sign of internal difference between him and Mamata, who while belonging to the same blood line, more often than not are on the same page.
![HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST HIGHLIGHTS FAILURE OF BODIES FORMED BY GOVT ON MISSING PERSONS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21674/1734225/spNIXNe0J1718488917969/HUMAN-RIGHTS-ACTIVIST-HIGHLIGHTS-FAILURE-OF-BODIES-FORMED-BY-GOVT-ON-MISSING-PERSONS.jpg)
HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST HIGHLIGHTS FAILURE OF BODIES FORMED BY GOVT ON MISSING PERSONS
Human rights activist Mahrang Baloch of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) highlighted on Thursday the failure of all commissions and committees formed by the Pakistan government to look into the cases of missing persons and enforced disappearances and called such efforts 'eyewash', Pakistanbased Dawn reported.
!['HELLO FROM MELODI TEAM': ITALIAN PM MELONI SHARES VIDEO WITH PM MODI](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21674/1734225/90PBQiW2Q1718488800650/HELLO-FROM-MELODI-TEAM-ITALIAN-PM-MELONI-SHARES-VIDEO-WITH-PM-MODI.jpg)
'HELLO FROM MELODI TEAM': ITALIAN PM MELONI SHARES VIDEO WITH PM MODI
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has shared a video of herself alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the recently concluded G7 Summit meeting in Italy.
![The 'mystery' of thriving political dynasties](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21674/1734225/yWZ5rBMQK1718487948206/THE-MYSTERY-OF-THRIVING-POLITICAL-DYNASTIES.jpg)
The 'mystery' of thriving political dynasties
Scores of inheritors in sports, cinema and corporate India have failed despite having all the initial advantages. The natural question is why doesn't the same happen in politics?
![Challenges faced by Tibetans are enormous](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21674/1734225/ez_XBEbPT1718487847901/CHALLENGES-FACED-BY-TIBETANS-ARE-ENORMOUS.jpg)
Challenges faced by Tibetans are enormous
The focus on Mandarin Chinese and Han cultural norms has resulted in Tibetan children losing proficiency in their native language
![A historic third term for PM Modi](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21674/1734225/GnvFoc_4i1718487709873/A-HISTORIC-THIRD-TERM-FOR-PM-MODI.jpg)
A historic third term for PM Modi
Despite the minor electoral setback, Mr Modi appears committed to his economic reform agenda and advancing India's international profile.
![GOPAL RAI INTRODUCES AN AMBITIOUS 12-POINT SUMMER ACTION PLAN](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21674/1734225/TiRgFqlBQ1718487666992/GOPAL-RAI-INTRODUCES-AN-AMBITIOUS-12POINT-SUMMER-ACTION-PLAN.jpg)
GOPAL RAI INTRODUCES AN AMBITIOUS 12-POINT SUMMER ACTION PLAN
The Delhi government has announced a 12-point summer action plan to control pollution, following fluctuating Air Quality Index (AQI) levels in the national capital, which have ranged from moderate to poor over the past 15 days.
![KATHUA TERRORIST ATTACK PROMPTS SECURITY MEASURES IN PATHANKOT](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21674/1734225/p6LuCzpvm1718487601472/KATHUA-TERRORIST-ATTACK-PROMPTS-SECURITY-MEASURES-IN-PATHANKOT.jpg)
KATHUA TERRORIST ATTACK PROMPTS SECURITY MEASURES IN PATHANKOT
\"Any terrorist activity or infiltration in Kathua could quickly escalate and affect the peace of Punjab, especially neighbouring Pathankot district.”