59th Republic Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm and fervour throughout the State today. Functions were organized at State, District, Sub-Divisional and Tehsil-level to mark the occasion. Unfurling of National Flag, March-past by the contingents of Police, Home Guards, ITBP, NCC and cultural programmes were the main attractions of the day long celebration.
V S Kokje, Governor presided over the State-level function held at the Historic Ridge Maidan, Shimla.
Governor unfurled the National Flag and took salute at an impressive March-past presented by the contingents of Police, ITBP, Home- Guards, Army Regiments, NCC and Ex-servicemen. He also inspected Guard of Honour. N.K. Sharma, ASP Commanded the Guard of Honour.
Capt. Iqbal Singh of Jammu & Kashmir Rifles commanded the parade.
At Kullu
Tulsi Ram, Speaker, H.P. Vidhan Sabha presided over the Republic Day function
At Dharamsala
At Kangra, Thakur Gulab Singh presided over and visited War Memorial raised in the memory of those warriors who laid down their lives during wars and operations after independence.
Cultural prorammes were given by the local Government Nursery Middle School and GGSSS, High School, Kotwali Bazaar, GSSS, Forsetganj and Deol and Baby Tanya, Kangra district Red Cross Society also arranged the lucky bag draw. The Chief Guest honoured the participants of the parade and cultural programmes.
Ex Ministers Shri Vidya Sagar and Vikram Katoch and others were present.
At Mandi
Ishwar Dass Dhiman, Education Minister garlanded the Father of Nation Mahatma Gandhi at Gandhi Chowk and took ceremonial salute of the parade.
At Solan
Jagat Prakash Nadda, Forest Minister presided over the function.
At Una
Presiding over the function, Ravinder Singh Ravi, Irrigation and Public Health Minister said that present Government was committed for the welfare and upliftment of women in the State and added that Government had announced 50 percent reservation to women in PRIs and local bodies elections soon after coming to power in the State. He said that the govt had also enhanced the daily of daily wagers from Rs. 75 to Rs. 100 from January, 2008 which would benefit about five lakh daily wagers in the State. He also paid tributes to the martyrs and freedom fighters on the occasion.
Ravi said that Rs. 9.80 crore was being spent on providing drinking water, Rs. 20.21 crore on irrigation schemes and Rs. 9.85 crore on flood control measures during current financial year in Una district. He further said that 25 tubewells for irrigation were also being set up and added that 494 hectares of land would be brought under irrigation during current financial year in the district.
He also honoured Prakash Chand and Sitawati, senior writers for their literary writings on the occasion.
At Bilaspur
Kishan Kapur, Transport Minister said that brave soldiers from Bilaspur district played vital role during freedom movements and in 1962, 1971 war and Kargil conflict.
At Rekong Peo
Narender Bragta, Horticulture Minister said that Kinnaur district has made its identity in the field of agriculture. He informed that new root stock from other countries would be imported and distributed to the farmers of the State.
At Nahan
In District-level function at Nahan, Ramesh Dhawala, Food and Civil Supplies Minister unfurled the National Flag and took salute at an impressive march-past presented by contingents of Police, Home Guards and NCC.
At Hamirpur
Dr. Rajiv Bindal, Health Minister presided over.
At Chamba
Mrs. Sarveen Chaudhary, Social Welfare and Empowerment Minister reiterating the State Government’s resolve to serve the poor, said that under National Rural Employment Guarantee Yojna, 73,895 families were distributed job cards in Chamba district and 81,549 persons were given employment.
At Keylong
Amar Singh Rathore, Deputy Commissioner, Lahaul-Spiti presided over the Republic Day function amidst severe cold at Keylong.
