Himachal Pradesh completes 42 years of Statehood today. It was conferred the status of full State on 25th January, 1971. State Level function was organized at Sunni in Shimla district today, where Chief Minister, Virbhadra Singh unfurled the National Flag and took salute at an impressive march past presented by contingents of IRB, Police, Home Guards, NCC and school children. Shri Rattan Singh Negi, DSP commanded the Parade.
Speaking on the occasion, Virbhadra Singh felicitated the people of the State on Statehood. He said that started from humble beginning in 1971, the State had now emerged a pioneer in development not for hill areas but also amongst other States in the Country. He also expressed gratitude to the great leaders, who overcame various hardships and challenges to ensure that our hill State gets its separate identity and status. Chief Minister said that Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar, the founder and first Chief Minister of Himachal, who apart from heading the struggle for Statehood, laid a sound foundation for the future development of the State.