71st Republic Day was celebrated with gaiety and fervour across the State today. Functions were organized at State, District and Sub-Divisional level to mark the occasion. Hoisting of Flags, impressive march-past, cultural programmes were highlights of the functions organized throughout the State.Governor Bandaru Dattatraya unfurled the National Flag and took the salute during a march past at the State-level Republic Day function held at historic Ridge Maidan, Shimla.The Governor inspected the parade and took salute from an impressive march past.Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur was also present on the occasion.The customary grand parade was led by Capt. Nikhil Kumar, 2nd Naga Regiment.
The March past was presented by contingents of Army, State Police, Home Guards, Fire Brigade, Ex-servicemen, Bharat Scouts and Guides, NCC cadets and Postal Services for the first time. A colourful cultural programme was also presented on the occasion. Tableaux highlighting various development activities of different departments were also part of Republic Day celebration.Later, the Governor and Chief Minister also released balloons with the name 'Ananya' in air giving the message of Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao.
Chief Whip Narinder Bragta, MLAs Balbir Verma, Vinod Kumar and Vikramaditya Singh, Mayor Satya Kaundal, Chief Secretary Anil Kumar Khachi, Director General of Police S.R.Mardi, other senior Civil, Police and Military officers were also present on the occasion amongst others.
At Bilaspur
District level Republic Day celebrations were celebrated with joyful celebration at Government Senior Secondary School (Boys) Bilaspur. Irrigation and Public Health Minister Mahender Singh Thakur hoisted the flag and took salute of march past.Minister said that it was a matter of pride that 64 ex-servicemen, serving soldiers and officers of district Bilaspur have received bravery award.He said that in past two years 1,172 villages have been provided with drinking water facility and 5139 houses have been provided with drinking water connection. Under Pardhanmantri Krishi Sinchai Yojna, 111 small irrigation schemes have been sanctioned with an outlay of Rs. 333.18 crore.
At Chamba
Urban Development Minister Sarveen Chaudhary presided over district level Republic Day function at historic Chaugan Maidan in Chamba. On this occasion, she hoisted the National Flag and took the salute of march past.Sarveen Chaudhary said that the present government has established new dimensions of development during the period of two years. She said that special emphasis was being laid on social, economic and industrial development along with conservation of the environment in the state.State government has increased the financial assistance provided for marriage of daughter of war widow from Rs. 15 thousand to Rs. 50 thousand. Old age financial assistance provided to former soldiers and their widows has been increased from Rs. 500 to Rs. three thousand.
At Kullu
District level Republic Day celebration was celebrated at Dhalpur ground in Kullu. Agriculture Minister Dr. Ram Lal Markanda hoisted the flag and took salute of march past.While addressing the gathering, Agriculture Minister said that the state government is encouraging natural farming, as a result of which more than 40 thousand farmers were practicing natural farming on 1650 hectare land in the state. He said that under Pardhanmantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojna 8,74,304 beneficiaries have been provided Rs. 430.80 crore. He said that to involve public participation in development, MyGov portal has been launched.
At Una
District level Republic Day was celebrated at Government Senior Secondary School (Boys) Una with much fanfare. Health and Family Welfare Minister Vipin Singh Parmar hoisted the National Flag and took salute of the march past.Tableaux on various development projects of the district were presented by Women and Child Development, Horticulture, Agriculture and Health Department. A colorful cultural programme was also presented on this occasion. Earlier Health Minister also paid tribute to the martyrs at Shaheed memorial.Vipin Singh Parmar said that State Government has launched “HimCare Yojna” for families not covered under “Ayushman Bharat” by providing free health insurance cover up to Rs. 5 lakh. As many as five lakh 50 thousand families have been registered under the scheme and more than 58 thousand patients have benefited from this scheme, with an expenditure of Rs. 54.75 crore.
At Solan
71st Republic Day function was celebrated at historic Thodo Maidan in Solan district, which was presided over by Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Minister Virender Kanwar. On the occasion he said that the state government is determined to make villages a strong economic unit and to bring economic prosperity through cow rearing.He said that state government is working towards providing shelter to stray cows. In view of this a cow shelter with a cost of Rs. 1.52 crore was being constructed at Kotla Barog in Sirmaur district, which would be inaugurated by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur within one month. Cow shelters were being constructed at Handakundi of Sub Division Nalagarh in district Solan with a cost of Rs. three crore and at Thanakalan Khas of Una district with the cost of Rs. 1.69 crore, he added.
At Hamirpur
On the occasion of district level Republic Day function was organized at Government Senior Secondary School (Boys) Hamirpur, Industries Minister Bikram Singh hoisted the flag and took salute of the grand march past.While addressing the gathering, Minister said that the state government is determined to make Himachal Pradesh an investor's destination not only in the country but in the world. He said that Global Investors' Meet was organised in the state on 7-8 November, 2019 at Dharamshala which attracted an estimated investment of more than Rs. 96,720 crore and 703 MoUs were signed. He said that in district Hamirpur under Mukhyamantri Swavalamban Yojna Rs. six crore have been sanctioned during this year.
At Mandi
District level function of Republic Day was held at Seri Manch in Mandi. Forest and Transport Minister Govind Singh Thakur hoisted the national flag and took the salute of grand March past presented by Police, Home Guard, NCC, NSS, Scouts andGuides.Forest Minister said that due to efforts of the state government there is an increase in the forest cover in the state. He said that for conservation and augmentation of forests a comprehensive tree plantation drive was being done in the state. In past two years in 17285 hectare forest land, 1.54 crore saplings have been planted. The target of the state government was to develop the forest area upto 30 percent by the year 2030.
At Kangra
Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr. Rajiv Saizal presided over district level Republic Day function celebrated at Dharamshala of Kangra District. He hoisted the National Flag and took salute of an impressive march past.During the function, he said that the present state government in its first cabinet meeting reduced the age limit from 80 years to 70 years for providing Social Security Pension without any income limit. This decision had benefited several senior citizens of the state. Around three lakh 57 thousand senior citizens are availing social society pension in the state. He said that efforts were being made by the state government for upliftment of every section of the society.
At Sirmaur
Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha Deputy Speaker Hans Raj presided over the district level Republic Day function at district Headquarter Nahan in district Sirmaur. He hoisted the National Flag and took the salute of march past.He said that to improve enrollment of students in government schools, pre primary classes have been started in 3740 government schools and 47 thousand children have been enrolled so far.He said that under Mukhyamantri Roshani Yojna free electricity connection was being provided to weaker section of the society. Under Himachal Grihini Suvidha Yojna within a period of two years more than two lakh 76 thousand free gas connection have been provided in the state.
At Kinnaur
District level Republic Day function was celebrated with enthusiasm in Ramleela ground at Reckong-Peo in district Kinnaur. Deputy Commissioner Kinnaur Gopal Chand presided over the function. He hoisted the national flag and took salute of the march past.He said that on this day of Republic Day, it was important to remember those great people who have sacrificed their lives for unity and integrity of the country. He said that in current Financial year Rs. 85 crore 77 lakh has been spent on various developmental works in the district. He said that to redress the issues of the people of district, eight Janmanch programmes have been organised within a period of two years
At Lahaul-Spiti
Deputy Commissioner Lahaul and Spiti K.K. Saroch presided over the district level function held at district headquarter Keylong. He un-furled the national flag and took salute of the march past. During the function, he said that the Constitution of India provides equal opportunity to the citizens of the country without any discrimination. The strength of the democracy lies in the Constitution, he added.He said that all the developmental schemes of state government are being successfully implemented in the district. He said that Rs. 51 crore was being spent in the district on various developmental works under Tribal Sub Plan.He said that to provide internet facility in all 28 Gram Panchayats of the Lahaul, V-SAT have been installed with an outlay of Rs. 85 lakh.