Glowing tributes were paid to Father of Nation Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister, Late Lal Bahadur Shashtri on their 142nd and 107th birth anniversaries respectively across the State. Governor Urmila Singh, Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal paid floral tribute to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi at the historic Ridge Maidan and Former Prime minister, Late Lal Bahadur Shashtri near Telegraph Office here today. Justice Joseph Kurian, Chief Justice of H.P. High Court also paid floral tributes at the statues of Father of nation, Mahatma Gandhi and Former Prime Minister, Late Lal Bahadur Shashtri.
Leader of opposition Vidya Stokes, Local MLA Suresh Bhardwaj, Vice Chairman HIMUDA Ganesh Dutt, H.P. Social Welfare Board Veena Thakur, Commissioner, Municipal Corporation A.N Sharma, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Chand, Deputy Commissioner Onkar Sharma and other prominent persons of the town and school children also paid floral tributes to father of nation and Former Prime Minister Late Lal Bahadur Shashtri. Devotional songs which were dear to Gandhi Jee as well as patriotic songs were also sung to mark the birth anniversary celebrations
Prabhat Pheries led by Onkar Sharma, Deputy Commissioner was carried out by the prominent persons of the town and children of Bal Ashram in wee hours of the morning. Paying homage to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi and Former Prime Minister, Late Lal Bahadur Shastri, Chief Minister said that the fellow Indians would always remember the contribution they had made for the cause of the nation.
Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said that to make the State ‘Plastic free’ complete ban would be imposed on use of plastic cup and plates from today. He said that Earlier, complete ban was imposed on plastic bags in the year 2009, which was yielding remarkable results. Himachal Pradesh had emerged as the first State in the Country to undertake such concrete steps for the preservation of environment. He expressed his gratitude to the cooperation extended by the people of the State particularly traders as well as visitors for making this campaign successful.
Dhumal said that Shimla had been declared smoking free and it was possible due to the cooperation of local people and visitors. he appealed to the people of the State to take a pledge on the auspicious occasion of Gandhi Jayanti to make State Plastic free and smoking free so that the State could match up to its ‘Devbhoomi’ title.
