Indian Politician and the former Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises of the Republic of India. He is also the former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh state, for 5 times, from 1983 to 1990, from 1993 to 1998 and from 2003 to 2007. Virbhadra Singh, a prominent member of Indian National Congress, was also an honorary captain in the Indian National Army. Singh was granted the rank of Honorary Captain in the Indian Army by the President, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.

Early Life of Virbhadra Singh
Virbhadra Singh was born on 23rd June 1934, to Raja Sir Padam Singh and Shanti Devi at Sarahan Bushahr, Shimla. Singh succeeded his father as the 122nd king of Bushahr, at the age of 13, in the year 1947. He studied from Colonel Browney School Dehradun and Bishop Cotton School Shimla. He completed his graduation in B.A. (Hons) from St. Stephens College, Delhi. Later he completed his M.A. in History and passed with First Division from the Delhi University.

Political Career of Virbhadra Singh
Virbhadra Singh got the membership of Indian National Congress, on 15th August, 1961. He was the selected member of Lok Sabha in 1962, 1967, 1972 and in 1980. In 1976, he was the member of Indian Delegation to the General Assembly of the United Nations. From December 1976 to March 1977, he also held the post of Deputy Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation in Government of India. From September 1982 to April 1983, in Government of India, Singh was the Minister of State for Industries.

For two times, Virbhadra Singh was elected to the State Legislative Assembly from Jubbal-Kotkhai Constituency first on 5th October 1983 in a by-election and again in 1985 general elections. From April 1983 to March 1990, Singh has served as the Chief Minister of the State and also from December 1993 to March 1998. He has also been president of the Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee from February 1992 to September 1994, as well as the leader of the Congress Legislative Group. He had also been president of the State Congress Committee in 1977, 1979 and 1980.

From March 1998 to March 2003, he was the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly. On 6th March 2003, Virbhadra Singh was once again appointed as Chief Minister. He is also related with several cultural and social organisations including President of Sanskrit Sahitya Sammelan and Friends of Soviet Union Society (Himachal State Branch).

Under Singh`s leadership with a view to ensure minimum elementary level education mandatory for the children, the State Government was excogitating the proposal to make Elementary Education in the State essential. Chief Minister assured on a function that State Government would focus on qualitative educational enhancement. And for that more funds would be made available to achieve the objective. Virbhadra Singh has also said that the State had achieved the stage of enlargement and now efforts are going on to consolidates the same by strengthening infrastructural facilities at all levels.

Vast sum was being spent over construction of science blocks, playgrounds and modern educational facilities according to him. Through these constructions the students could avail the up-and-coming educational facilities at their doorsteps. In that regard he has also emphasised the need for strengthening the inspection wing.

Virbhadra Singh was elected from the Mandi parliamentary constituency in Himachal Pradesh, in the 2009 General Election. He defeated Maheshwar Singh of the BJP, by a staggering 13,997 votes. The voter turnout reached a maximum of 64 % in the constituency, on May 13, 2009. From 19 Jan 2011 onwards he has served as the Union Cabinet Minister, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, until resigning from office in June 2012.

Posts Held in Union Government:

•A Rank of army Captain was offered to Vir Bhadra Singh. Nominated as a member to a top level United Nations Delegation New York.
•Deputy Minister Tourism and Civil Aviation in central cabinet in 1977
•Minister of State for Industries in 1980 and member to Assessment committee to Lok Sabha
•The youngest Member of Parliament in 3rd Indian Parliament
•Sworn in as Union Minister for Steel on 28 May 2009
•Supports 26% of mining profit to be shared with the local inhabitants of the mining area
•Supports better relationship between communities and industry for growth
•Big projects like POSCO and KOBE Steel initiated under his leadership
•Taking initiative to set up steel plants in India which can produce steel from low quality iron ore
•Many awards bagged by SAIL under his leadership from Sep 2009 onwards
•SAIL dealers network multiplied nationwide under his leadership
•A Target of 124 million tonnes steel production set under his leadership.

Posts Held in State Government

•President HP congress Committee in 1977, 1979, 1980
•Elected MLA from Rohru constituency continuously in 1983, 1985,1989,1993,1998 and 2003
•Became the Chief-Minister of Himachal Pradesh on April 8, 1983 for the first time and thereafter in, 1985, 1993, 1998 and 2003
•A record of more than 500 Rallies and Public Meetings alone during 14th Parliamentary Elections in May 2004 and won three Parliament Seats from H.P.

Personal Life of Virbhadra Singh
Virbhadra Singh was married to Princess Ratna Kumari, the daughter of Raja Jubbal Shree Digvijay Chandra I.C.S. the couple had 5 daughters and 1 son, but the son and one daughter expired. The surviving daughters are Princess Jyotsna, Abhilasha, Meenakshi and Anuradha. Princess Abhilasha is married to Prince Prithvinder Singh of Gohel, Ahemdabad, and Princess Jyotsana is married to Prince Rajeev Singh of Kashipur, Uttar Pradesh. Singh was again married to Prathibha Singh, Princess of Keonthal (Junga). He was blessed with a daughter and son, from Rani Prathibha Singh.