G. S. Bali

‘Gurmukh Singh Bali, popularly known as billa is the Tourism, Transport and Civil Aviation Minister of Himachal Pradesh. He is the son of M.S. Bali. He was born on 27 July 1954 at Kangra. He has Diploma in Mechanical Engineering. He got married on 20 June 1977.
He is Founder president of Himachal Nagrik Sudhar Sabha. Plus, he was Vice Chairman and later Chairman of Himachal Social Bodies Federation. He was the Convener of Indian National Congress Vichar Manch from 1990 to 1997. He was the President of Congress Seva Dal from 1995 to 1998. He was also the Joint Secretary of Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee from 1993 to 1998.
He got elected to Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha first ever in 1998 and then again in March 2003 and was appointed as the Cabinet Minister for Transport on March 6, 2003.[1]
GS Bali had to submit his resignation on 29.7.07, after he was falsely shown on a sting operation as dancing with some invited call girls. A one man judicial enquiry was ordered which concluded that the tape was doctored by the news reporter and channel and that the reporter, on finding that there were no activities of questionable morality going on at the party, doctored the footage to sensationalize the public. Mr. Bali is also considering legal action against the news reporter and channel for defamation.
He has a son and two daughters. His son, Raghuvir Singh Bali is a prominent businessman in Himachal Pradesh holding large dealerships, hotels and malls. Mr. Bali’s daughters are currently studying in college.
Mr. Bali is also a brave survivor of an accident which left him with burns over 90% of his body, scars of which can still be seen.
He is also seen by the public as the only man capable of succeeding the current Chief Minister, Mr. Virbhadra Singh
Source: Wikipedia

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That is the gist on G. S. Bali Sir.
But the question is “Myself Being a Bengali from west Bengal, why am I writing this article on him. When he is from Himachal.”
This is my tribute to him.

Let’s start the event.

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The event which I am going to narrate happened in the year 2005.

That year we (My Dad, My Mom, My elder sister and myself) decided to travel a part of Himachal.

We like trekking and before extensively toured the Kumaon and Garhwal Himalaya. And for the 1st time we are venturing into Himachal Himalaya. So decided to visit popular destinations. Shimla, Rampur, Sangla, Kalpa, Sarahan, Kulu, Keylong, Manali, Rewalsar. At All these places we booked HPTDC guest houses except sangla. As there was no such HPTDC guest house that time. We preferred HPTDC guest houses as we have seen the Govt. Guest Houses in other states always situated in the midst of Beautiful scenery. Though the service is not upto the mark.

I am writing in details . otherwise u will not get proper idea about the cause of my liking of Bali Sir.

1st we visited Shimla and stayed at Peter Hoff. That time PM Manmohan Singh was coming at Peter Hoff within next few days. It was full of SPG officers. In this situation in West Bengal, tourists are thrown away from guest houses to accommodate VIPs and other officers. But we were surprised. We watched that the staffs of Peter Hoff were fighting with SPG officers to allow boarders in Peter Hoff. And they hosted us till the morning of the day of PM coming. And they guarded us in such a way that never SPG officers tried to handle us poorly.

During our stay at Peter Hoff we enjoyed various kind of Himachali dishes and all of them are excellent.

We never expected that a Govt. Guest House can give such a quality service. But we thought that as it is Peter Hoff, largest hotel of HPTDC. So it is very good. May b next guest houses will not match the Peter Hoff standard.

But we were wrong. Next we moved to rampur and stayed at HPTDC guest house (probably bushahar regency) and the service quality was again execellent. And also the food quality. From there we went to Sangla. Stayed at a private hotel…and the standard of service and food quality was not so good. From there we moved to Kalpa. And again HPTDC guest House and again world class service and good food.
We were amused. How a Government Organisation is giving such a quality service. Even at a remote place like Kalpa.

Then went to Sarahan. And everything was superb. And in this Guest House I noticed a no. of GS Bali Sir. It was everywhere….I kept that no. In Sarahan we enjoyed a Himachali dish named ‘Bathu Kheer”.
From Sarahan we moved to Kulu via jalori Pass, banjar and great Indian national park. Again at kulu every thing was nice. Probably that day was 3rd June, 2005.
On 4th morning we started for Keylong. We were the first team of tourists who visited keylong that season. Even at Keylong everything was wonderful.
We kept thinking about the quality of service in HPTDC. A govt. organization is giving such an wonderful service is unexpected.

And later we came to know that we were visiting Chandrabhaga Guest House in Keylong and as we were the first tourists of that season (and in 3 days we were only tourists in Guest House) so to make our stay comfortable HPTDC had sent an engineer to check every facilities. He reached keylong just before us.
It was quite a surprise that HPTDC thinks about a small group of tourists.

Jai Ho HPTDC!!!!!!


From keylong we started for Manali on 6th June, 2005 morning at around 11 am.
There was a huge traffic jam on rohtang pass and at Marhi. So we missed our lunch and decided to take food after reaching Manali.
We reached Manali at 7 PM and stayed there at Hotel rohtang Manalsu.
Entering into the room we felt for some food as we were hungry for several hours. And I called the room service no. and asked for some snacks. But the person over the phone was so rude that he just told me “It is not snacks time” and disconnected the line. Didn’t even bother to wait for our next question about dinner.
So I called the no. again and ordered for dinner. We ordered biriyani. We were very hungry.
When we reached dining hall we were served some rotten rice with few pieces of chicken as biriyani. That time we left the place as the staffs were not interested to hear our voice.

Whole night we were discussing about the quality service we got in previous HPTDC guest houses and what we were getting in Rohtang Manalsu.

Next morning we went to Hadimba temple and I was quite determined to call that no. Which I got from Sarahan.
I expected that secretary or assistant of Bali Sir would pick up the phone and I would tell the whole fact. I will not complain, I will appreciate the overall service, but mention the black spot of rohtang Manalsu.

The phone rang and someone picked up the phone.
And I told “I want to talk to Bali Sir”

A person with a commanding voice told “yes I am”
I was nervous. Never expected Bali Sir direct over phone. But I told “
I am a tourist from west Bengal. We have visited such such places and stayed at HPTDC guest Houses. We got mervallous services everywhere. But in Rohtang Manalsu we got the worst service.”

He was so nice. He heard every thing and directed me to write on a paper and gave FAX no. and said to fax the paper.

But I told Bali Sir “we have got excellent service in Himachal. If I write only the bad situation then only bad thing will be highlighted. We have much more wonderful experiences in Himachal to cherish. So after visiting Kolkata I will write my whole experiences and send u”

Sir agreed.




In the evening when we returned in Rohtang Manalsu, everything was changed. The manager was asking about last night’s event. Every hotel staff was telling to forgive them.

As if a magic wand has changed them within few hours.

All of them were requesting not to send any written complain to the Minister GS Bali. As he is very dangerous…he always suspend the person against whom any complain has been registered.

They will not do the same thing again. ……………..and many other requests….


And we realized the magician of HPTDC is none other than Bali Sir……

He is strong, determined to give good service, so is his HPTDC.


HPTDC was giving world class service that time.
Bali Sir was a support to tourists in Himachal.


I don’t know what is the quality of HPTDC now.

But I don’t expect that it is as good as Bali Sir’s era.

In West Bengal we never expect that a minister will pick up the phone , hear the complain and take immediate action.



From manali we moved to rewalsar….and got quality service again…


This is not the end of the story………..later I collected many other events of determined Bali Sir………will share with u later………


And my good experiences of Himachal will also come……….


Today my mom is no more……. She also liked Bali Sir’s attitude……..

Even tonight I was discussing about bali Sir with my dad….



I want to see him again atleast as tourism minister.