Successive govts ensured state’s growth: Nadda

Pratibha Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, January 25

BJP national president Jagat Prakash Nadda said Himachal had emerged as a leading state which was competing with big states in the field of development due to the tireless efforts of successive governments since the state came into being in 1971.

Speaking at the golden jubilee Statehood Day function here today, Nadda said Himachal had surged ahead to emerge as one of the most developed states in the country, be it in the field of health, education or infrastructure development. He said every Himachali must rise above political considerations to ensure that the state achieved greater heights and becomes number one in every field.

Tributes to Dr Parmar

BJP national president Jagat Prakash Nadda paid glowing tribute to first Chief Minister Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar while reminiscing his simplicity and humility. “Have you heard of a former Chief Minister going to the bus stand to catch a bus to travel to his village and walking around with knapsack on his back,” said Nadda. He said Himachalis were known for this simplicity which was their biggest strength. He also referred to Shanta Kumar as “Pani wale mukhyamantri” and PK Dhumal as “Sadkon wale mukhyamantri”.

“We need to identify our potential, especially in the field of tourism, power, horticulture and agriculture and utilise it fully to our advantage,” he remarked. He credited successive regimes with ensuring all round development of Himachal, beginning with Dr YS Parmar, Thakur Ram Lal, Virbhadra Singh, Shanta Kumar and PK Dhumal. He added that it was former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee who provided special economic package to the state and laid the foundation stone of the Rohtang tunnel. He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had same love and affection for Himachal and it is for this that Himachal got financial benefit due to grant of a special category state.

He said as Himachal completes 50 years of its existence, it was time for introspection and identifying our strengths. “People call Himachalis simple, hard working and honest and I would like to reiterate that this simplicity is the biggest strength of we hill people and not our weakness as many might perceive,” he remarked. He said the people of Himachal must retain this quality as in the long run, it is this very this simplicity and honesty which pays.

While congratulating the people, Governor Bandaru Dattatreya said Himachal had made unprecedented development due to dedicated leadership, strong will power and hard work of the people. By giving priority to education, health, roads, electricity, water, social security and tribal welfare, the state had achieved socio-economic goals, making it a model state, he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur paid tributes to former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and gave credit to successive chief ministers – Dr YS Parmar, Shanta Kumar, Virbhadra Singh and PK Dhumal — for ensuring state’s development. “I would be failing in my duty if I don’t express my gratitude towards former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who had special affinity with the hill state,” he said.

“Connectivity remains one of the biggest challenges for Himachal as it is a requisite for tourism promotion and industrial growth,” he said. He said rising above political considerations, everyone in the state must join hands to ensure Himachal becomes number one state. He said efforts had been made to rope in industrial investment by holding Global Investors meet and work on projects worth Rs 10,000 crores had already started.

Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister of State for Finance Anurag Thakur said the endeavour of every Himachali in the next 25 years journey from golden to platinum jubilee, should be to take Himachal to number one position in the country in every field. “I urge the Chief Minister to prepare the road map for this journey in which we all must rise above political considerations and join hands to make Himachal number of in clean green energy, carbon neutral state and the most preferred tourist destination,” he urged.

Those present on the occasion on historic occasion on The Ridge here included state BJP president Suresh Kashyap, ministers, Leader of Opposition Mukesh Agnihotri, MLAs, party functionaries and senior officials. Union Home Minister Amit Shah who was to address the function virtually could not do so as he remained busy in a meeting.

Twitter abuzz with congratulatory messages

Congratulations to people of Himachal on Statehood Day. Bestowed with the gift of nature, the prosperous Devbhoomi is the centre of spiritualism, culture and tourism and ahead in many parameters of development. I wish that the state reaches new heights of development — Ram Nath Kovind, President

My heartiest good wishes to the people of Himachal Pradesh on completion of 50 years of statehood. Famous for natural beauty and attractive tourist destinations, the state may continue to set new records of development and contribute to progress of the country — Narendra Modi, Prime Minister

Congratulations and best wishes to the people of Himachal Pradesh on Golden Jubilee of statehood. Himachal is setting new records of development and prosperity under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur. I wish continued progress of the state — Amit Shah, Home Minister

Congratulations to Himachalis on the 50th anniversary of statehood. Repository of cultural and social heritage with immense natural beauty, Himachal is marching on the path of development and I wish happiness, good health and bright feature to all people of the state — JP Nadda, BJP national president