Virbhadra Singh is an Indian politician and senior congress leader who has served the state of Himachal Pradesh five............
Virbhadra Singh is an Indian politician and senior congress leader who has served the state of Himachal Pradesh five times and has also served Centre by holding different portfolios such as Steel Ministry and MSME Ministry (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Ministry).
Virbhadra Singh was born Sarahan, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh on 23rd June 1934 in a princely state of Bushahr. He pursued a Post Graduation from Delhi University and later married to Princess Ratna Kumari on 02 June 1954 and the couple has one son and five daughters in which one daughter died. On 28 November 1985, Virbhadra Singh got married to Pratibha Singh, and the couple has one son and one daughter.
Singh entered in the Indian politics in 1961 when he joined the Congress party. He fought the next Lok Sabha election from Mahasu seat and won there smoothly. At that time, he was the youngest Member of Parliament in the 3rd Lok Sabha. However, he also took interest in state politics and won seven time assembly election and he became the Chief Minister of state five times.
In Centre, Virbhadra won the parliamentary election five times and held Deputy Minister, Tourism and Civil Aviation in 1976-77 and Union Steel Minister from 31 May 2009 to 18 Jan 2011. At present he is the Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises since 19 Jan 2011 to till date.
Mumbai, June 19 (IANS) "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag" director-producer Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra Wednesday rubbished rumours of the film being banned in Pakistan, saying on the contrary, they had got three different offers from there and also an invite to the entire cast and crew.
Mumbai, June 19 (IANS) Bollywood actress Sonam Kapoor was teary-eyed at the promo and music launch of her film "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag", and said she was emotional because of the effort put into the film.
New Delhi, June 19 (ANI): Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, who along with UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi today conducted an aerial survey of rain-ravaged areas in Uttarakhand, announced 1,000 crore rupee disaster flood relief for the state where flash floods have claimed over a hundred lives and left thousands of pilgrims to Himalayan shrines stranded.
Shimla, June 19 (IANS) The Himachal Pradesh government Wednesday continued its operations to airlift tourists stranded for the past four days in Kinnaur district, which has been entirely cut off following landslides, an official said here.
New Delhi, June 19 (IANS) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Rajnath Singh Wednesday asked state units to postpone their organisational work and provide assistance and relief to people affected by heavy rains and floods in Uttarakhand.
New Delhi/Haridwar, June 18 ((IANS) Swollen mountain rivers fed by heavy rains destroyed homes and property in many areas in north India even as the monsoon downpour continued, leading to flooding and many rivers rising dangerously. The death count in floods reached 60 while 60,000 tourists and pilgrims are stranded at various locations following floods and landslides.
Manali, June 18 (IANS) Eleven people, including nine women and a child, were killed Tuesday when their vehicle skidded off the road and fell into a 500-foot-deep gorge near this Himachal Pradesh picturesque resort, police said.
New Delhi, June 18 (IANS) Condoling the deaths in the floods in north India, Congress president Sonia Gandhi Tuesday asked the central and state governments to provide quick relief and rehabilitation to the affected people and ensure travel arrangements for the stranded tourists.
Shimla, June 18 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh was airlifted Tuesday from Kinnaur where he had been stranded for the past three days after the area was cut off following landslides, an official said here.
Mumbai, June 18 (IANS) Actor Vindu Dara Singh, arrested for betting in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and now on bail, says betting in the game should be made legal.
Shimla, June 18 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, who was stuck in Kinnaur district for the past three days since the area was cut off due to landslides, was airlifted Tuesday. Over a dozen sick and old tourists were also evacuated, an official said.
Chennai, June 17 (IANS) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said that India was working towards finding the rightful place for all communities in Sri Lanka.
New Delhi, June 17 (IANS) Eight new faces were inducted into Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's council of ministers Monday -- possibly the last reshuffle before the 2014 general elections.
Shimla, June 17 (IANS) Ten people were killed, including five members of a family, as 1,500 tourists, mainly from West Bengal, remained stranded in remote Kinnaur district after incessant rainfall triggered landslides in Himachal Pradesh, officials said Monday.
Shimla, June 17 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and over 1,000 tourists were stuck in the picturesque Sangla Valley Monday as the area was cut off due to landslides, an official said.
New Delhi, June 16 (IANS) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Rajnath Singh Sunday congratulated Iran's president-elect Hassan Rouhani, expressing hope that moderate voices would now be strengthened in Iran.
Shimla, June 15 (IANS) The inquiry into the illegal mass tapping of phones of politicians and bureaucrats during the previous BJP regime in Himachal Pradesh is over and the investigating agency Saturday recommended registration of a criminal case, an official said here.
New Delhi, June 15 (IANS) Collaboration of health care professionals, academics and interest groups working for the disabled is necessary to sensitise the public to issues faced by disabled people, a health ministry official said Saturday.
Shimla, June 15 (IANS) The southwest monsoon reached Himachal Pradesh Saturday, with most of the the hill state experiencing moderate to heavy rainfall, the meteorological office here said.
Mumbai, June 15 (IANS) "Fukrey" producer Farhan Akhtar says actress Richa Chadda fitted the character of Bholi Punjaban in the movie like a glove.
Shimla, June 15 (IANS) A video CD portraying a senior Congress leader from Himachal Pradesh's Mandi with a woman is in circulation in the district ahead of the Mandi Lok Sabha by-poll June 23, police officials said Friday, adding a case will be filed.
Washington, June 13 (ANI): Some companies in the United States are offering people a chance to bank their stem cells for future use.
Shimla, June 10 (IANS) Leader of Opposition and former chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal Monday blamed the Virbhadra Singh-led Congress government in Himachal Pradesh for the deteriorating financial health of the state.
Patna, June 9 (IANS) Enraged over repeated attempts by their father-in-law to sexually assault them, two women in a Bihar village chopped off the man's hands to teach him a lesson he would never forget, police said Sunday.
New Delhi, June 8 (IANS) A top Maoist was killed Saturday in a shootout with the security forces in Chhattisgarh, an official said here.
Panaji (Goa), June 8 (ANI): In his inaugural address to the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP's) national executive meeting here, party president Rajnath Singh said Saturday that everyone will go home "happy, energised and enthusiastic."
Shimla, June 8 (IANS) As Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh compares his predecessor and BJP leader Prem Kumar Dhumal with Nazi dictator Hitler, the opposition party advises the septuagenarian Congress leader that he needs his wife at home.
Mumbai, June 7 (IANS) Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh said that ait was not easy for him to slip into the role in the film "Lootera".
Shimla, June 7 (IANS) Nineteen people, including eight women, were killed Friday and 13 injured when a private bus carrying them skidded off a road and fell into a 500-foot gorge in Himachal Pradesh's Sirmaur district, police said.
New Delhi, June 5 (IANS) Terrorist violence in Jammu and Kashmir in 2012 was the lowest in two decades, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said here Wednesday while stressing that the government's strategy was working.
Lucknow, June 4 (IANS) Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Mulayam Singh Yadav said Tuesday that the law and order in Uttar Pradesh would be brought under control within a fortnight if he had been the chief minister.
Shimla, May 31 (IANS) The political scene in Himachal Pradesh has warmed up once again with the two rivals -- the ruling Congress and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) -- readying for the Mandi Lok Sabha by-election June 23.
New Delhi, May 30 (IANS) Defence Minister A.K. Antony will embark on an official visit to Singapore, Australia and Thailand June 3 to discuss India's bilateral defence cooperation with the three countries, an official release said Thursday.
Mandi (Himachal Pradesh), May 30 (IANS) Former telecom minister Sukh Ram will campaign for Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh's wife Pratibha Singh, the Congress candidate for the June 23 Lok Sabha by-poll from Mandi constituency in Himachal Pradesh, the party said Thursday.
New Delhi, May 30 (IANS) There is "no question mark" on Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's popularity and the party will "soon" decide its prime ministerial candidate, BJP president Rajnath Singh has said.
Tokyo, May 29 (ANI): India and Japan on Wednesday agreed to "accelerate" negotiations for early conclusion of the much anticipated bilateral civil nuclear deal.
Tokyo, May 29 (IANS) Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Wednesday said a stronger Japan and India were in each other's interest and to ensure peace and prosperity in Asia.
Mumbai, May 29 (IANS) Rumour had it that the character of Archana was getting a new face on "Pavitra Rishta", but it is now confirmed that actress Ankita Lokhande, original face of the character, has resumed shooting for the show.
Tokyo, May 29 (ANI): The visiting Indian Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, and his wife Gursharan Kaur called on the Emperor and the Empress of Japan.
Shimla, May 28 (IANS) The Congress central leadership Tuesday cleared former MP Pratibha Singh, wife of six-time Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, as the party's candidate for the June 23 Mandi parliamentary by-poll in Himachal Pradesh.
Tokyo, May 28 (ANI): Asserting that Japan's contribution to India's economic development has been enormous, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has said he was looking forward to a closer partnership with Japan in setting up skill development centres in India.
New Delhi, May 28 (ANI): Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh's special envoy, Satinder K. Lambah met Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif in Lahore on Monday.
Samajwadi Party president Mulayam Singh Yadav has targeted prime minister Manmohan Singh saying that although he is a nice man but with not any
Shimla, May 25 (IANS) Taking the lead, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Saturday formally launched its campaign for the June 23 Mandi parliamentary by-election in Himachal Pradesh.
New Delhi, May 25 (IANS) Union Minister of State for Sports minister Jitendra Singh said Saturday that there is a need for good governance, cleansing of sports and bringing transparency in the working of sports federations.
Shimla, May 25 (IANS) Ahead of the Mandi parliamentary by-election in Himachal Pradesh, a political crisis sparked by the purported resignation of a Congress minister who was miffed with Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh withered away in less than 24 hours.
New Delhi, May 25 (ANI): Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will undertake a five-day official visit to Japan and Thailand from Monday.
New Delhi, May 24 (IANS) India and the US are in discussions to plan for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to America in the "near future".
New Delhi, May 24 (IANS) President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Vice President Hamid Ansari Friday greeted the countrymen on the eve of Buddha Purnima.
Shimla, May 24 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh Friday submitted a memorandum to visiting President Pranab Mukherjee, seeking additional central financial assistance to overcome a shortfall of Rs.10,725 crore.
New Delhi, May 24 (IANS) The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Friday asked the suspended Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to amends its constitution by July 15 and hold fresh elections no later than Sep 1 for getting back to the Olympic fold.
Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh), May 24 (ANI): Outgoing Arunachal Pradesh Governor and former chief of army staff, General (retired) J.J. Singh, has once again asked the Centre to find an early solution to end the Naga imbroglio.
Shimla, May 23 (IANS) President Pranab Mukherjee was accorded a ceremonial reception by Governor Urmila Singh and Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on his arrival here Thursday on a three-day visit.
Shimla, May 23 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh Thursday termed the purported resignation of Transport Minister G.S. Bali as a "political manoeuvre" to change his portfolios.
Gurgaon, May 23 (IANS) India faces a spectrum of security challenges and there is need for reorientation of the country's strategic thinking as well as reappraisal of its higher defence organisations, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Thursday.
New Delhi, May 22 (IANS) Detailing economic growth during the UPA regime, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Wednesday the slowdown last year was "temporary" and a longer term view would show that India has notched up an average "8 percent growth" in the past nine years.
New Delhi, May 22 (ANI): Listing the achievements of the UPA-II government, Prime Minsiter Manmohan Singh said that in the coming year they will report directly to the people to seek a renewed mandate.
New Delhi, May 22 (ANI): Listing the achievements of the UPA-II government, Prime Minsiter Manmohan Singh said that next year they will report directly to the people to seek a renewed mandate.
Shimla, May 22 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh Transport Minister G.S. Bali submitted his resignation to senior Congress leaders as he was allegedly unhappy with his portfolio, party sources said. The minister himself refused to comment on the issue.
Mumbai, May 22 (IANS) Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone, daughter of badminton icon Prakash Padukone, says sports was pure and clean during her father's time. She rues how malpractices such as spot-fixing can give any sport a bad name.
Bangkok, May 22 (IANS) Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will pay an official visit to Thailand from May 30 to 31, the Thai foreign ministry announced here Wednesday.
Stockholm, May 22 (IANS) More than 40 Indian families in densely populated Stockholm suburbs are worried over explosive protests in the past week, which one Indian immigrant described as "unusually fearome".
New Delhi, May 22 (ANI): Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will present the report card of UPA-II today in which he is expected to list the schemes such as Direct Benefit Transfer and FDI in retail.
New Delhi, May 21 (IANS) India and China held very "specific" discussions without "shying away from anything", External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said here Tuesday.
New Delhi, May 20 (ANI): External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid will undertake a two-day visit of Saudi Arabia on May 25 and 26, at the invitation of Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal.
Shimla, May 20 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh Monday inaugurated a bridge near the Auckland tunnel here, which was constructed at a cost of Rs.2.52 crore under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).
Shimla, May 20 (IANS) Nagaland Governor and former CBI director Ashwani Kumar will be awarded an honorary doctorate at a convocation of Himachal Pradesh University here to be presided over by President Pranab Mukherjee May 24, a statement said here Monday.
New Delhi, May 20 (IANS) India and China scripted a new chapter in their ties Monday as Premier Li Keqiang and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh candidly discussed their recent border row and decided to take steps for an early resolution of a dispute that triggered a war in 1962.
New Delhi, May 20 (ANI): India and China on Monday signed eight pacts, including sharing of information on water flow in the River Brahmaputra.
New Delhi, May 20 (ANI): Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday said that the basis for continued growth and expansion of ties between India and China is peace and tranquility on borders separating the two countries.
New Delhi, May 20 (IANS) Stating that he looked forward to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit later this year, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang turned poet of sorts Monday to say that seeds sowed in spring sould be harvested in autumn.
New Delhi, May 20 (IANS) India and China were "strategic partners and good friends" that could speak to each other with candour, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said Monday while stressing on discussions between the two on the border issue and river waters.
Shimla, May 19 (IANS) The Himachal Pradesh government would launch an integrated crop diversification programme to bring additional 3,000 hectares under cultivation of vegetables, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh said Sunday.
Shimla, May 19 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh Sunday inaugurated a hilltop temple in upper Shimla, reconstructed and restored at a cost of Rs.1.25 crore.
Beijing, May 19 (IANS) Chinese Premier Li Keqiang departed here Sunday for official visits to four nations, with India being the first stop.
New Delhi, May 18 (ANI): Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is slated to pay official visit to Japan from May 27 to 29 and to the Kingdom of Thailand on May 30 and 31.
Tabo (Himachal Pradesh), May 18 (IANS) Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh Saturday said more micro and mini hydropower projects would be set up in Spiti Valley to usher an era of prosperity and provide employment opportunities to the youth of the area.
Shimla, May 18 (IANS) The Congress government in Himachal Pradesh has effected a staggering 15,000 transferes in the little over four months it has been in office but the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) says the number is more than double that. The Himachal Pradesh High Court has now stepped in and put a stop to at least five transfers and cancelled one.
Kolkata, May 17 (IANS) Footwear major Woodland, owned by the Aero Group, is looking to re-position its sub-brand 'Woods' in the luxury footwear segment, focusing primarily on women's footwear, a top company official said Friday.
Udaipur (Himachal Pradesh), May 17 (IANS) A 3.5-km stretch of the 8.8-km-long tunnel below the 3,978-metre Rohtang Pass has been completed so far, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh said here Friday.
New Delhi, May 16 (ANI): Sports Minister Jitendra Singh on Thursday said the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has decided to pave the way to lift ban on the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and Indian sportspersons will soon able to join the Olympics.
Lausanne, May 15 (IANS) The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Wednesday asked the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to hold free and fair fresh elections if it wants its suspension to be revoked.
New Delhi, May 14 (IANS) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh goes to Japan May 27-29 for the annual bilateral summit with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during which nuclear energy cooperation will be high on the agenda. He will then go to Thailand at the invitation of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.
Shimla, May 14 (IANS) Political activity in Himachal Pradesh has picked up ahead of the announcement of the by-election to the Mandi parliamentary seat.
New Delhi, May 14 (IANS) The image of the CBI has touched "rock bottom" and the Congress led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government has contributed to the process, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Arun Jaitley said Tuesday.
New Delhi, May 14 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Tuesday said it viewed the friendly approach of Pakistan's prime minister probable Nawaz Sharif with a "cautious optimism".
Islamabad, May 14 (ANI): Pakistan's incoming Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said he wanted to end the mistrust which had long dogged relations with India.
Amritsar, May 13 (ANI): In a major initiative, the Pakistan Muslim League (N) which has registered a landslide victory in Pakistan elections, today nominated first Sikh member Ramesh Singh Arora to the provincial assembly.
Shimla, May 13 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh has turned down an offer from the Himachal Pradesh University here for conferring an honorary doctorate degree on him.
Islamabad, May 13 (IANS) Nawaz Sharif, who is poised to become Pakistan's prime minister for the third time, Monday said he would invite Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to his oath-taking ceremony and reaffirmed that he would forge friendly ties with India.
Lahore, May 13 (ANI): Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif, who emerged victorious in Saturday's general elections, has said he would invite Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for his oath-taking ceremony to Islamabad.
Shimla, May 13 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh Monday expanded his team by administering the oath of office and secrecy to six chief parliamentary secretaries at a function in Shimla.
Mumbai, May 13 (IANS) Writer-lyricist Javed Akhtar is really looking forward to Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag" that features his son, actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar in the lead role.
Mumbai, May 13 (IANS) Chitrangada Singh woke up on Saturday morning to headlines and television reports claiming she had obtained a divorce by "mutual consent" with her golfer husband Jyoti Randhawa. But the actress denies the report completely.
New Delhi, May 12 (ANI): Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday applauded Nawaz Sharif and his party Pakistan Muslim League- (Nawaz) (PML-N) for their convincing victory in the recently concluded elections and conveyed India's desire to work with him to chart "a new course" in India-Pakistan relations.
Shimla, May 12 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh will Monday expand his team with the induction of five chief parliamentary secretaries and one parliamentary secretary, officials said here.
New Delhi, May 11 (IANS) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Saturday congratulated Karnataka's incoming Chief Minister K. Siddaramaiah who will head a new Congress government in the state.
Shimla, May 11 (IANS) Less than a fortnight after Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh directed the investigating agencies to speed up their probe on charges of corruption against the previous BJP regime, a verbal spat is on between him and arch rival and predecessor, Prem Kumar Dhumal.
New Delhi, May 10 (IANS) Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal and Law Minister Ashwani Kumar were not the first from in the United Progressive Alliance-II to have resigned on corruption charges. The others who stepped down on corruption charges are:
New Delhi, May 10 (IANS) Law Minister Ashwani Kumar Friday tendered his resignation to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for allegedly interfering in a CBI probe in coal blocks allocation.
