Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur today led the State in paying floral tributes to the architect of modern Himachal Pradesh and first Chief Minister of the State Dr. Y.S. Parmar on his 114th birth anniversary in a simple but impressive function organised at Peterhoff here today.While presiding over the function, the Jai Ram Thakur said Dr. Parmar was a great visionary leader who led the State through all odds to uphold its separate identity of this hilly State. He said that the sound foundation laid by Dr. Parmar has ensured that Himachal Pradesh becomes a role model for other hilly States of the country.Chief Minister said Dr. Parmar pleaded for the merger of those hilly areas of Punjab with Himachal Pradesh which had similar culture and life style. He said that it was the vision of Dr Parmar that the State’s agrarian economy, particularly horticulture sector made rapid strides. He said that Dr. Parmar was a multi-faceted personality who had left indelible mark in the hearts of lakhs and lakhs people of the State because of his simplicity and down-to-earth nature. He said that it was due to tireless efforts of Dr Parmar that Himachal Pradesh became 18th State of Indian Union and since then it had fast progressed ahead on the path of development and prosperity.Jai Ram Thakur said that the State Government was endeavouring to realize the dream of late Dr. Y.S. Parmar by making Himachal Pradesh, a developed, prosperous and role model State. He said that Dr. Parmar was a visionary leader who envisioned a State where every citizen had the opportunity to progress and prosper. He said that Dr. Parmar was respected by the people of all walks of life by rising above political considerations. He said that earlier this day was celebrated in a small library hall of Vidhan Sabha and it was decided by him last year that the occasion be celebrated in a befitting manner. Since then the birth anniversary was being celebrated in such a manner, he added.
Chief Minister said that Dr. Parmar knew that roads were the life lines for development of this hilly State, therefore, he stressed on construction of roads in the State. He said that Dr. Parmar was also in favour of motivating the farmers for cultivation of cash crops. He said that it was on the motivation of Dr. Parmar, that people started growing apples which today has emerged as Rs. 5000 crore economy. He said that it was due to the vision of Dr. Parmar that Himachal Pradesh kept protecting its forest wealth.Jai Ram Thakur said that each and every Chief Minister of the State had made immense contributions towards development and progress of the State. He said that the present State Government was also striving hard to realize the dream of Dr. Parmar of a strong, vibrant and self reliant Himachal Pradesh. He said that the State Government had decided to celebrate the 50th year of statehood of Himachal Pradesh in a befitting manner, but it could not be possible due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Earlier, the Chief Minister paid floral tributes to Dr. Parmar at Vidhan Sabha Complex where he was joined by Speaker and Deputy Speaker Vidhan Sabha, leader of opposition, his cabinet colleagues, MLAs, Former MLAs etc.Speaker HP Vidhan Sabha Vipin Singh Parmar said that the State had today emerged as role model and was steadily forging ahead on the path of progress and prosperity due to the sound foundation laid by Dr. Parmar. He said that Dr. Parmar made the Centre realize that the developmental needs of hilly State were different from other States of the country. He said that Dr. Parmar laid special emphasis on construction of roads, power generation and giving boost to horticulture and agriculture sectors to ensure overall development of the State. He said that Dr Parmar have in-depth knowledge about culture, tradition and lifestyle of the State and its people.
Leader of Opposition Mukesh Agnihotri said that the journey of Himachal Pradesh was in fact the journey of hard work of Dr Y.S. Parmar. He said that Dr. Parmar left all the luxuries of life and chose the path of struggle for maintaining separate identity of this hilly state. He said that 25th January, 1971 was indeed the red letter day in the annals of Himachal Pradesh as it was due to toil and hard work of Dr. Parmar that Himachal Pradesh got its separate identity as Statehood. He also appreciated the efforts of the State Government in organising the birth anniversary of Dr. Parmar in a befitting manner. He said that the Land Reforms Act was also the biggest contribution of Dr. Parmar.Urban Development Minister Suresh Bhardwaj said that Dr. Parmar was a visionary leader who made numerous progressive plans for the development of this hilly State. Keeping in view the topographical conditions of the State, Dr. Parmar laid special emphasis on upliftment of poor and weaker sections of the society. He said that it was under his able leadership that Himachal Pradesh attained statehood. He said that it was really an uphill task as most the leaders of Punjab were in favour of merger of Himachal into Punjab.A documentary of life of Dr Y.S. Parmar produced by Information and Public Relations Department was also screened on the occasion.Dr. Om Prakash Sharma presented a paper on life and contributions of Dr Parmar in giving Himachal Pradesh a separate identity.Agriculture, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Virender Kanwar, Health Minister Dr Rajiv Saizal, Deputy Speaker Vidhan Sabha Hansraj, MLAs Col. Dhani Ram Shandil, Inder Singh Gandhi, Vinay Kumar, Vikramaditya Singh, Ashish Butail, Mulkhraj Premi, Balbir Singh, Arun Kumar, Reena Kashyap and Vishal Nehriya, Mayor Shimla Municipal Corporation Satya Kaundal, Chief Secretary Anil Khachi, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister J.C. Sharma, Secretary GAD Devesh Kumar, Deputy Commissioner Amit Kashyap, Director Information and Public Relations Harbans Singh Brascon and other senior officers were present on the occasion among others.