Amid the serene valleys of Himachal Pradesh, the Thakur Ram Singh Shodh Sansthan, Neri,
located in Hamirpur district, is emerging as a center of research, intellectual discourse and
national perspective. Among the key personalities behind it’s progress is Dr. Chet Ram Garg,
who is not only the Director of this institute but also a dedicated Mentor and Thinker.
To understand his life journey, struggles and determination, Author and Delhi Bureau Chief
(India) of Himalini magazine, Nepal, Prof. S.S. Dogra personally visited the institute and had
an in-depth interaction with him. Presented here are the edited highlights of the conversation:
Q1: Please tell me about your birth and family background.
Dr. Garg: I was born on 15 September 1965 in the village of Nalavan, in the Dhami sub-tehsil of Shimla
district, Himachal Pradesh. My late father, Harisharan Ji, was a simple farmer and my mother,
Mrs. Sunro Devi, who is now 94 years old, has been a constant source of inspiration for our
family. We are six siblings, and I am the third among them. Our village is also historically rich,
with connections to ancient dynasties.
Q2: How did your education take shape?
Dr. Garg: I completed my early education near my village. Later, I finished high school from Pihal and
pursued my graduation in Economics from Sanjauli College, Shimla. Thereafter, I completed my
post-graduation in History and Hindi Literature from IGNOU and Himachal Pradesh University.
I have always had a keen interest in research and in 2021, I completed my research work on the
topic “Partition of India in the Thought of Dr. Ambedkar.” It was a proud moment for me as
the then President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, was present at the convocation ceremony.
Q3: How did you get associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)?
Dr. Garg: During my college years, I was influenced by my elder brother and got associated with the RSS.
In 1990, I attended the Sangh Shiksha Varg in Jammu and from there, I began my journey as a
full-time worker. At that time, the country was going through significant social and political
changes—the situation in Kashmir, the Ram Temple movement and the rise of national
consciousness deeply influenced me.
Q4: What challenges did you face during your early years of work?
Dr. Garg: The biggest challenge was conveying ideas correctly to people. Building connections village by
village, earning trust and forming a dedicated team was not easy. However, with continuous
effort and dedication, things gradually fell into place.
Q5: How was the journey of establishing the Neri Shodh Sansthan?
Dr. Garg: It has been a very struggling yet inspiring journey. The foundation work began in 2002 with the
land worship ceremony and the first building was completed in 2005. Gradually, facilities like a
library, research center and hostel were developed. Today, our Neri Shodh Sansthan is
recognized nationally for research, seminars, workshops and publications.
Q6: How do you view the contribution of Thakur Ram Singh Ji?
Dr. Garg: Thakur Ram Singh Ji is the soul of this Sansthan. His vision was clear—to present Indian history
in its true form and to instill national consciousness among the youth. His guidance, discipline
and dedication laid a strong foundation for this institute.
Q7: What are the major activities and achievements of the institute at present?
Dr. Garg: Today, research scholars from universities across the country come here. Seminars and
workshops are regularly organized. We publish a research journal titled Itihas Divakar, and
extensive research work on the history and culture of Himachal Pradesh is ongoing. Our goal is
to prepare a detailed and authentic history of Himachal by 2029.
Q8: What is the objective and plan of the project on the comprehensive history of
Himachal Pradesh?
Answer (Brief): The objective of this project is to comprehensively document the history, culture, religion,
economy and social life of every village in Himachal Pradesh. So far, work has been completed
on 12 villages across 12 districts and two books were published in 2023. In the future, extensive
studies will be conducted on all villages, along with research on sources related to the Western
Himalayas in the Vedas, Puranas and Sanskrit literature.
Q9: What is the guiding principle of your life?
Dr. Garg: I believe that “Hard work is the true path to success.” A person who works hard never goes
astray. This hard work should not be just for personal gain but for the upliftment of the nation
and society.
Conclusion — Prof. S.S. Dogra
Dr. Garg, the clarity and simplicity with which you shared your life experiences and thoughts are
truly inspiring. This interview will certainly serve as a guiding light for youth and researchers.
I am confident that under your leadership, this Research Institute will establish a strong identity
not only at the national level but also internationally in the coming years.
