Veteran Himachal Pradesh politician and decorated former army officer Major Vijay Singh Mankotia was consigned to the flames with full military honours on Wednesday in his ancestral village of Tiara. The funeral procession commenced from his family mansion in Kangra district's Shahpur area, drawing thousands of mourners as brass bands accompanied the cortege to bid a solemn farewell to the leader, who passed away at the age of 87.
Son Arrives From Overseas for Final Rites
The final rites were performed following the arrival of his son, Suryaveer Singh, and daughter, Sanyukta Kumari, both of whom travelled from the United States after receiving news of their father's demise. Suryaveer Singh lit the funeral pyre amid poignant scenes witnessed by a massive gathering of villagers, admirers, and local dignitaries. Major Mankotia is survived by his wife, Jaishree Kumari, whose maternal family hails from Kota Kunadi in Rajasthan.
Sudden Cardiac Episode on Tuesday Morning
Recounting the sequence of events, his brother Abhay Singh Mankotia stated that the senior leader appeared completely hale and hearty earlier that morning, having bathed, dressed, and begun preparations for a scheduled meeting. However, at approximately eight-forty on Tuesday morning, he experienced sudden physical distress and requested to lie down. As his vital signs began dropping, attending doctors advised shifting him immediately to a hospital, but he suffered fatal cardiac failure en route.
Distinguished Military Service and Education
Born on November 23, 1939, in Tiara, Major Mankotia received his foundational schooling between 1948 and 1954 at Bishop Cotton School in Shimla, followed by studies at The Doon School in Dehradun. In 1960, he joined the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun, eventually passing out with distinction by clinching both the prestigious 'Sword of Honour' and a gold medal. His military career saw active combat participation across three major conflicts: the 1962 Sino-Indian War and the Indo-Pakistani Wars of 1965 and 1971.
Legislative Career and Links to the Gandhi Family
Transitioning from the battlefield to public life, Mankotia contested as an independent candidate from Shahpur in 1982 and emerged victorious. Across his public career, he served as a five-term legislator and held ministerial portfolios twice under the Virbhadra Singh administration. Veteran journalist Sanjeev Sharma noted that Major Mankotia shared a close personal bond with Rajiv Gandhi, and former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi treated him like a third son, welcoming him into the Prime Minister's residence without restriction. It was on her personal encouragement that he initially entered politics. Later in his political trajectory, he gained widespread prominence across the state during the 2007 audio CD controversy.
