Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, while presiding over the High Power Committee review meeting regarding preparation for the Swarnim Himachal Celebrations and Swarnim Himachal Rath Yatra held here today, said that the Swarnim Himachal celebrations would be celebrated throughout the year in a befitting manner to showcase the glorious developmental journey of the State during the last fifty years.Jai Ram Thakur said that the whole event has been divided into two parts, the Swarnim Himachal Yath Yatra which would start from 15th April, this year for 51 days and second event would be the Swarnim Himachal Celebration, which would be held throughout the year in which 51 events would be organized by different departments in various parts of the State. He said that special focus must be laid on educating the younger generation regarding the glorious history of the State. He said that events such as declamation, quiz, essay writing, painting competitions, one act plays etc. would be held at school and college level to ensure active involvement of the youth in the celebrations. He said that Education Department must take a lead in this direction so that the younger generation could be proud of its rich history and past of the State.Chief Minister said that proper documentation of the whole event must be ensured so that it becomes most important document for the generations to come. He said that involvement of local artists must be ensured to drive the message of the State Government to the masses. He said that effective use of media must also be ensured by involving NGOs, Mahila Mandals, Yuvak Mandal, elected representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions etc.Jai Ram Thakur said that the Swarnim Himachal Rath Yatra must be a massive medium to establish contact with the every Himachali. He said that message must be clear that every person of the State has made their contribution in development and progress of the State. He said that every farmer, engineer, soldier, teacher, doctor and common man has made his contribution in this developmental journey of the State. He said that the event should not be a ceremonial one but should create a sense of contact with each and every person of the State. He said that a special event must be held to honour the people of the State who have created a special place for themselves in different fields. Chief Minister said that one booklet must be prepared on the State level achievements and progress and another highlighting the district level statistics. He said that the hoardings must be installed at the strategic points and should highlight achievements of the State during the last fifty years. He said that the adequate publicity material must be prepared and provided to the people of the State.
Secretary GAD Devesh Kumar while welcoming the Chief Minister and other dignitaries detailed the events to be held round the year during Golden Jubilee Year of the Statehood. He said that State Government had received requests by various departments to organize 67 events during year long Swarnim Himachal Celebration. Director Rural Development Convener Swarnim Rath Yatra Arindham Chaudhary said that target has been fixed to reach out to as many as 25 lakh people through this Rath Yatra. Director Tourism Yunus said that the Rath would be ready by end of this month. He said that the Rath would also carry all the required publicity material such as folder, pamphlets etc. which would be distributed to the people of the State. Director Transport Anupam Kashyap said that the Procurement Executive Sub Committee for procurement of Raths has held four meetings. He said that all the Raths would also have LED Screens and one anchor as well as one supporting staff. Director Information and Public Relations Harbans Singh Brascon said that live streaming would be done of the Rath Yatra through social media, besides proper contents would be prepared and disseminated through social media. All the members of the Committee gave their valuable suggestions on the occasion to make the event a grand success. They suggested construction of memorials in memory of various freedom fighters and Praja Mandal and Pajotha Andolan activists. Speaker Vidhan Sabha Vipin Parmar, Jal Shakti Minister Mahender Singh Thakur, Urban Development Minister Suresh Bhardwaj, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Sarveen Chaudhary, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Virender Kanwar, Education Minister Govind Thakur, Power Minister Sukh Ram Chaudhary, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Rajinder Garg, MLAs Rakesh Jamwal, Rakesh Singha and Hoshiyar Singh, Chairman 6th Finance Commission, Satpal Satti, Chairman HIMUDA Praveen Sharma, Ex MLA and Chairman IEC Committee Randhir Sharma, Political Advisor to the Chief Minister Trilok Jamwal, former Chairman State Public Service Commission R.R. Verma, Chairperson State BJP Mahila Morcha Rashmidhar Sood, Additional Chief Secretaries Manoj Kumar, Prabodh Saxena and J.C. Sharma, Principal Secretary K.K. Pant and Rajnesh, Secretaries Sandeep Bhatnagar, Amitabh Awasthi, Rajeev Sharma, Special Secretary Abid Husain Sadiq, Director Industries Hansraj Sharma, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Dr Savita, Director LAC Suneel Sharma, MD HPSEB Ltd. R.K. Sharma, Engineer in Chief Jal Shakti Naveen Puri were also present in the meeting whereas all the Deputy Commissioners joined the event virtually from their respective districts.