Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur today offered floral tributes to the Founder and first Chief Minister of the Himachal Pradesh Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar on his 112th birth anniversary in a function held at Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha here today. The function was organised by Himachal Pradesh Parliamentary Group.Chief Minister said that Dr. Parmar was a visionary leader who not only spearheaded the struggle for granting independent status for the State but also laid a sound foundation for the further development of the State. He said that Dr. Parmar had a solicitous vision about the development and welfare of the farmers, and the downtrodden. It was under his leadership that the State succeeded to get separate identity and joined the nation as 18th State of the Indian Union, he added.Jai Ram Thakur said that the birth anniversary of Dr. Parmar should be held in befitting manner so that maximum number of people could be involved in celebrating the occasion. He said that the culture of Himachal was deeply rooted in the heart and soul of Dr. Parmar. He said that one can learn many things from his life and works. He said that his leadership have contributed for the development of the State and everyone should acknowledge his contributions. At the same time we must also take criticism as a positive spirit and this is a beauty of democracy, he added. He said that real tribute to this visionary leader would be that we work with unity for the development and welfare of the State.
The Chief Minister said that Dr. Parmar laid special thrust on construction of roads, as according to him the roads were the lifelines for development in the hilly state. He said that he always strived for the welfare of the weaker section of the society. Such was the persona of Dr. Parmar that he left an unforgettable impact in the hearts of lakhs of people of the State, he added. He said that there can be difference of opinion but there should not be any grudges. He said that we also draw inspiration from life and works of Dr Parmar.A documentary of life of Dr. Parmar was also screened on the occasion.Speaker HP Vidhan Sabha Dr. Rajeev Bindal said that Dr. Parmar was a mass leader who had direct connects with the masses. He said that Vidhan Sabha has documented all the statements and speeches of Dr. Parmar made in the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha during his long political career. He said that Dr. Parmar had great respect and pride for the Himachali culture and lifestyle. He said that Dr. Parmar had an extensive knowledge about culture, tradition of the State and developmental needs of the people of the State. He also read out some quotes from the speeches of Dr. Parmar on the occasion.Deputy Speaker Vidhan Sabha Hansraj while presenting vote of thanks said that Dr. Parmar was not only the first Chief Minister of the State, but he laid a sound foundation for further development of the State.
Chief Ministers wife Dr. Sadhna Thakur, former Chief Minister VIrbhadra Singh, IPH Minister Mahender Singh, Education Minister Suresh Bhardwaj, CLP leader Mukesh Agnihotri, MLAs, Former Speakers Vidhan Sabha Gangu Ram Musafir and Dr. Radha Raman Shastri, Former Ministers, Mayor Municipal Corporation Shimla Kusum Sedrate, Deputy Mayor Rakesh Sharma, son of Dr. Parmar and former MLA Kush Parmar and other family members also paid floral tributes to Dr. Parmar.Deputy Commissioner Shimla Amit Kashyap, Director Information and Public Relations Anupam Kashyap, SP Shimla Omapati Jamwal, Secretary Vidhan Sabha Yashpal Sharma were present on the occasion among others.Earlier, the Chief Minister paid floral tributes to Dr. Y.S. Parmar on his statue at the Ridge. The Chief Minister is joined by Irrigation and Public Health Minister Mahender Singh Thakur, Education Minister Suresh Bhardwaj, MLAs Rakesh Singha and Inder Singh, Mayor Municipal Corporation Shimla Kusum Sedrate, Deputy Mayor Rakesh Sharma, Chairman APMC Shimla Naresh Sharma, former Speaker Vidhan Sabha Gangu Ram Musafir, Deputy Commissioner Shimla Amit Kashyap, Director Information and Public Relations Anupam Kashyap, SP Shimla Omapati Jamwal, councilors of MC Shimla and people from all walks of life to pay rich tributes. Patriotic songs and bhajans were recited by the artists of the Information and Public Relation Department.