Himachal Chief Minister unfurled the National Flag and took salute at an impressive march-past presented by the Himachal Pradesh Police, Home-Guard contingents on 37th Statehood Day at State-level function at Ani in the interior of district Kullu today which was witnessed by people clad in their colourful costumes, thronged the venue of celebration today. Dr. Sandeep Bhardwaj, D.S.P. commanded the parade.CM said that the State has emerged as a role model in social welfare, education, health, consumer affairs, clean drinking water and above all performing beyond its potential, which was no less achievement for a small hilly State of the country. He said that the State had only 331 schools in 1948 which had increased to over 16,000, health institutions reaching the figure of 4,000 and the most vital achievement in the road connectivity which were only 228 kms in 1948 and had crossed mileage of 29,000 kms.
Chief Minister said that his Government had opened 16 new degree colleges during current financial and all were in the rural areas to facilitate the students get higher educational facilities nearer to their homes. He said that quality infrastructural facilities were being created to cater to the modern education needs of the coming generation. He said that the State was committed to bring about qualitative improvement in the prevailing education system. He said that English had been introduced as a subject from first standard.
Virbhadra Singh said that Rs. 24,000 crore industrial investment had ensured employment potential to about 3 lakh unemployed youth in the State. He said that 70 percent employment to the State youths was made mandatory in industry and hydel power projects. He said that self-employment avenues were being created to make agriculture and horticulture a viable vocation. He said that quality produce was the need of the hour in the present competitive world. He said that progressive growers of the State were diversifying towards cash crops and off-season vegetables besides floriculture horticulture and allied activities.
