Una, January 26:- On India's 77th Republic Day, the land of Una district resounded with patriotic songs. On this occasion, Technical Education and Town and Country Planning Minister Rajesh Dharmani hoisted the national flag at a district-level function organized at the grounds of Government Boys Senior Secondary School, Una. During this, he took the salute of the impressive march past conducted by the male and female contingents of police and home guards and cadets of NCC, NSS, trained disaster friends, Scouts and Guides.
During this, in his address, the Technical Education Minister congratulated and wished the residents of the district on Republic Day. He said that 26th January is a proud day for all Indians. On this day in the year 1950, the great Constitution of India came into effect and the dream of democracy came true in the country.
He paid homage to the makers of the Constitution as well as to the sacrifices of all the freedom fighters and paid tribute to the brave martyrs who laid down their lives to keep the independence of the country intact. He said that the Constitution provides equal opportunities for development and progress to all the countrymen without any discrimination. He said that the power of democracy lies in the Constitution itself.
**State Government is promoting technical education and training in accordance with the changing times - Dharmani
Rajesh Dharmani said that the state government is continuously taking visionary and effective steps to accelerate skill development in the state. The government's clear goal is to equip youth with high-level skills in line with the demands of the times, so that they can not only obtain employment but also become self-reliant through self-employment.
Mr. Dharmani said that in keeping with the changing technological landscape, the government is paying special attention to connecting children and youth with the cutting-edge technologies of the future. In this regard, training and education in emerging areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, and drone technology are being prioritized. By integrating these subjects into educational and training programs, efforts are being made to make youth globally competitive.
He said that these initiatives will foster innovative thinking among youth, increase technical proficiency, and promote new startups and entrepreneurship in the state. He expressed confidence that these skill development schemes will lay the foundation for a bright future for the state's youth and play a key role in making Himachal self-reliant and prosperous.
Additionally, the state government is taking decisive steps to provide children with quality education and a peaceful, safe environment in government schools.
Rajiv Gandhi Model Day-Boarding Schools are being established in all assembly constituencies to improve education in rural areas. Additionally, a decision has been made to implement the CBSE curriculum in 130 government schools across the state. As part of this initiative, 10 schools in Una district will be operated on the CBSE pattern.
**Concrete steps are being taken to make Himachal a self-reliant and developed state.
The Technical Education Minister said that under the able, visionary, and powerful leadership of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the resolve to make Himachal Pradesh self-reliant is being pursued with full strength. The government is continuously making concerted efforts to make the state a prosperous and developed state by 2032. In this regard, basic sectors such as education, health, drinking water, roads, and electricity have been strengthened, so that the common people can have better facilities at their doorstep.
He stated that providing better and modern healthcare facilities to the state's residents is the state government's top priority. Under this initiative, one health institution in each assembly constituency will be designated as an ideal health institution, with six specialist doctors deployed.
Furthermore, arrangements are being made for specialist doctors and state-of-the-art machinery to provide world-class healthcare facilities in medical colleges, and the process of filling vacant positions is also being accelerated.
**Una district moving towards progress
He said that Una district is rapidly progressing, and the state government is fully committed to its overall development. Una is being developed as a solar energy hub. A 32 MW solar project has been installed in Pekhubela, while projects in Aghlore and Bhanjal are also complete. Additionally, solar plants are being installed in the government and private sectors.
To promote industrial development, a bulk drug park is being established in the Haroli assembly constituency of Una district at a cost of ?2,000 crore, with the state government contributing ?1,000 crore in capital. Coordination is underway with the central government to connect this project to the rail network.
Decisive decisions to strengthen the rural economy
Rajesh Dharmani said that the state government has taken decisive decisions to strengthen the rural economy, the benefits of which are directly accruing to farmers. Himachal Pradesh is the first state in the country to provide a minimum support price for milk purchases.
The government is purchasing cow milk at the rate of Rs 51 per liter and buffalo milk at the rate of Rs 61 per liter. To encourage natural farming, maize produced through natural methods is being purchased at the rate of Rs 40 per kg and wheat at the rate of Rs 60 per kg, which is the highest in the country.
**Potato processing unit to be set up in Una district with an expenditure of Rs 20 crore
He said that Una district is a major potato production center. To further benefit farmers, a potato processing unit will be established in Una at a cost of ?20 crore, directly benefiting local farmers as well as producers in neighboring districts.
Mr. Dharmani also praised the "Samarthya Yojana" being implemented by the Una District Administration. He said that this scheme is proving extremely helpful in providing education, self-reliance, and the right direction to children's lives. He congratulated and wished the district administration for this.
**Campaign against drug abuse
He stated that the Chief Minister is launching a strict and decisive campaign against drug abuse to protect youth from the clutches of drug addiction. In this regard, walkathons involving thousands of children have been organized in Hamirpur, Bilaspur, and Dharamshala to send a strong message against drug abuse. Those providing information about drug traffickers are being encouraged with cash rewards, and their identities are kept strictly confidential.
Additionally, the state government is committed to further strengthening law and order in the state. Strict action is also being taken against illegal mining and corruption. He called on all district residents to cooperate with the government to establish Himachal Pradesh as a peaceful, safe, and developed model state.
**Development tableaux and exhibitions were the centre of attraction.
Tableaus based on state government schemes were also displayed at the ceremony, highlighting the Chief Minister's Sukh Ashray Yojana, the Rajiv Gandhi Self-Employment Startup Yojana, the Samarthya Yojana, and schemes related to health, animal husbandry, agriculture, and education. Furthermore, development exhibitions highlighting development achievements were also set up at the ceremony venue.
Earlier, the Minister of Technical Education and Town and Country Planning visited the Martyrs' Memorial at MC Park and paid tribute to the immortal martyrs.
**Cultural programme
At the ceremony, Gaurav Kaundal, winner of the Punjab Ki Awaaz show, mesmerized the people of Una with his mesmerizing rendition of patriotic songs. Meanwhile, children from PM Shri Government Senior Secondary School, Daulatpur Chowk, performed Gidda, and children from Mount Carmel School danced to patriotic songs, earning applause for their captivating performances. Ishant from Ripoh Misran School and Vansh from Kuthar Kalan also spread the magic of their melodies.
**They were honored
At the district Republic Day celebrations, the Technical Education Minister honored those who achieved outstanding work and accomplishments in various fields. Senior citizens Ajit Singh and Om Prakash Sharma, who won gold and silver medals in the senior citizen category at the Taiwan Masters Games, and Aditya Thakur of Tyasar in the Bangana subdivision, who excelled in shot put, were honored with certificates. Jagat Ram Sharma, General Secretary of the Education Reform Committee, Isapur, Sucha Singh Kang, and Sushma Sharma of the SRP India Foundation NGO, were honored with certificates for their outstanding social service.
In the field of sports, Abhavya Sharma, Sania, and Divya from Jakhera School, Tanya and Aradhya from Saloh School, Tanya Saini from Dharampur School, Mansi Rana from Talmeda School, Pratham Kumar Sharma and Varika from JS Wisdom School, and volunteer teachers Sudarshana Sharma and retired Army officer Purushottam Singh were also honored for their free services. Ishant of Ripoh Misran and Vansh of Kuthar Kalan, who possess special talents in music and singing, were also honored.
Dr. Naresh Sharma, BMO Thanakalan, was honored for his pioneering work in eradicating tuberculosis in the district. Mohinder Pal Dogra, X-ray technician Joginder Pal, was honored for effectively implementing the HIV/AIDS prevention and control program. Sandeep Vasudeva, Managing Trustee of Krishna Foundation Sachkhand, was honored for providing nutritious food to tuberculosis patients.
Senior veterinarians Dr. Manoj, Dr. Amit Sharma, and Senior Assistant Amit Kumar were honored for treating hundreds of animals and giving them new life. Roshan Lal, posted in the State Service Railway Police Service, and Neeraj Kumar, CI Una, were also honored for their services. Self-help groups and food processing entrepreneurs Nishu Lata and Kavita were honored with certificates. Additionally, office staff at the Deputy Commissioner's office were honored for their active role in various public welfare projects.
These included Balveer Kumar, Raj Kumari, Subhash Kumar, Vishal Sudal, Pankaj Sharma, Pawan Dogra, Ankush Sharma, Dayalu, Rakesh, Pawan Kumar, Sohan Lal, Yudhveer, Omkar Chand, Subhash, Sanjeev Kumar, Ashok Kumar, Mandeep, Sanjeev Kumar, Raman Kumar, Mohit Kumar, Jitendra, Sahil, Pooja, Apurv and Sandeep Kumar. Apart from this, SI Gurdeep Singh, ASI Deepak Rana, Ghanshyam and Yashpal, Inspector Gaurav Bhardwaj and Sunil Kumar, besides Rajiv Kumar, Amrik Singh, Ajay Kumar, Amarjot Singh, Nitesh Chandel, Hoshiyar Singh, Lokesh Kumar, Triloch Singh and Rakesh Kumar, along with the parade commander of the march past, Ravindra, and the police, home guards, NCC, Bharat Scouts and Guides, NSS, disaster friends and home guard bands were also honored.
**Present at the ceremony were
Technical Education Minister's wife Sonika Dharmana and daughter Mandisha Dharmani were specially present at the function. Meanwhile, Shri Chintpurni MLA Sudarshan Singh Bablu, Chairman of State Scheduled Caste Commission Kuldeep Kumar, former MLA Una Satpal Singh Raijada, Congress District President Una Deshraj Gautam, State Scheduled Caste Commission member Vijay Dogra, senior Congress leader Ashok Thakur, Deputy Commissioner Una Jatin Lal, Superintendent of Police Una Amit Yadav, Assistant Commissioner Una Varinder Sharma along with dignitaries and a large number of school children were present at the program.