Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today led the State in paying homage to the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on her 96th birth anniversary.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said Indira Gandhi had special love and affection towards Himachal Pradesh and its people. Himachal Pradesh came into existence on 15th April, 1948 few months after Independence due to blessings of first Prime Minister of the country Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru. Smt. Indira Gandhi bestowed full-fledged Statehood status to Himachal Pradesh on 25th January, 1971 amidst heavy snowfall at the Ridge Maidan.
He said that Congress led Governments in the Centre had always given active support and assistance for the development of the Himachal Pradesh which today stands as one of the leading State of the Country. The State had made rapid progress in the education, health, electrification, drinking water, agriculture, horticulture and other major sectors.
Irrigation & Public Health Minister Vidya Stokes, Food, Civil Supplies & Consumers Affairs Minister G.S. Bali, Forest Minister Thakur Singh Bharmauri, Urban Development Minister Sudhir Sharma, Social Justice & Empowerment Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Nand Lal, Vice-Chairman National Commission for Scheduled Tribe Ravi Thakur, MLA Sanjay Rattan, Vice-Chairman State Water Board Harbhajan Singh Bhaji, Mayor Sanjay Chauhan, Deputy Mayor Tikendar Panwar, newly elected President of State Youth Congress Vikramaditya Singh, Jeni Prem, Chairman Agriculture Development Bank, Deputy Commissioner Dinesh Malhotra, Commissioner MC Amarjeet Singh, leaders, Senior Officers and prominent persons of town and children of various schools also paid tributes to Indira Gandhi.
At Rajbhawan as well the 96th birth anniversary of late Indira Gandhi also celebrated. Anita Tegta Secretary to Governor administered the pledge of national integration to the officers and officials on the occasion. Officers and officials of Rajbhawan were present on the occasion.
