Choudhary Hari Ram: A Pioneer and Leader of the Community
Born in 1899 in the village of Panjawr, now part of District Una, Himachal Pradesh, he was the first individual from the community to earn a B.A. LL.B. degree, which he completed in 1924. He began his law practice in Hoshiarpur in 1925 but later relocated to Dharamshala, the headquarters of District Kangra, Himachal Pradesh.
His dedication to public service led him to be elected as an MLA on a Congress ticket, after which he became a minister under the chief ministership of Mr. Partap Singh Kairon of Punjab. After the reorganization of states in 1966, he contested and won a seat in the Himachal Vidhan Sabha, serving as Transport Minister under the leadership of Late Sh. Y.S. Parmar.
He was known for his simplicity and commitment to the upliftment of backward classes. It was during his tenure that the Girth Bahati Chang community was officially declared a socially backward class, a significant step toward improving their socio-economic status.
He succeeded Rai Sahib Gayan Singh Ji as the second president of the Maha Sabha, where he completed the unfinished work left by his predecessor. His leadership brought unity and progress to the community, ensuring that the efforts of the Maha Sabha continued to flourish.
On June 18, 1929, he passed away, leaving behind a legacy of selfless service and dedication to the community. His contributions will forever be remembered with deep respect and admiration. The community will always cherish his invaluable efforts toward their upliftment.