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Himachal, Our Dearest and Most Beloved :S.S. Dogra:

 

Nestled in the northern Himalayan region of India, Himachal Pradesh is globally renowned as the “Land of Gods” for its natural beauty, snowy mountains, and numerous tourist and religious sites. On January 25, 1971—exactly 54 years ago—Himachal was granted full statehood within the Republic of India. However, a glance at its history reveals that Himachal was granted Union Territory status on November 1, 1956. The credit for establishing Himachal Pradesh as a state goes to Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar, who also became its first Chief Minister. His dedication to giving the hilly region a distinct identity and fostering its all-around development earned him the title of “Father of Himachal.”

Himachal Pradesh’s residents have made their state proud both nationally and internationally through their patriotism, integrity, intellectual capabilities, faith, creativity, social service, humanity, bravery, diligence, and simplicity. It is a matter of pride for every Himachali. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, the state government and its people made commendable efforts to curb the spread of the virus, setting an example for other states. Furthermore, the state government has made significant strides in providing online documentation services to residents.

Let’s look at some important and historical facts about Himachal Pradesh. Geographically, the state spans 55,673 square kilometers, with the majority being mountainous terrain. Fifty years ago, the population of Himachal was 3,460,434, which has now grown to 7.5 million in 2020. I vividly remember visiting my ancestral home during the 1970s and 1980s for vacations or family events. At that time, Himachal lacked basic amenities such as electricity, water, roads, transportation, hospitals, and educational institutions.

Fortunately, every Chief Minister—Dr. Parmar, Thakur Ram Lal Ji, Virbhadra Singh Ji, Shanta Kumar Ji, Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal Ji, Jai Ram Thakur Ji, and currently Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu—has worked tirelessly during their tenures to elevate the state. The awareness and responsible behavior of its residents have also contributed to building a remarkable image of Himachal Pradesh.

Himachal is a symbol of communal harmony, with temples, mosques, gurdwaras, and churches being respectfully established here. Under the guidance of the Dalai Lama, millions of Tibetans have settled peacefully in Dharamshala. From ancient times to the Mughal and British eras, and even today, Himachal has been loved by political figures, film and television personalities, and tourists from around the world. Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee even built a residence in Manali and spent considerable time there. Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his deep affection for the state during the inauguration of the Atal Tunnel.

Over its fifty-year journey, Himachal Pradesh has succeeded in developing basic infrastructure in almost all areas. The Baddi Industrial Area has grown significantly, and all 12 districts—Chamba, Kangra, Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur, Shimla, Sirmaur, Solan—are well-connected by roads. However, there is still a need to develop new rail and air routes. The state’s pollution-free environment, enriched with rivers, lakes, waterfalls, snowy mountains, and lush green valleys, now calls for initiatives to establish sports universities, media universities, and film institutes/cities. Such developments would provide future generations with opportunities to hone their talents within the state while bolstering economic growth and employment opportunities.

Despite limited resources, Himachalis have made significant contributions to various fields, including agriculture, medicine, engineering, literature, the military, education, social service, politics, police, administration, arts, culture, environment, IT, sports, media, film, and television, both domestically and internationally. The day is not far when a Himachali will hold the esteemed positions of President or Prime Minister of India, showcasing the intellectual leadership of this remarkable state.

Article by S.S. Dogra: www.ssdogra.com)

(Author: A writer of five books and the Delhi Bureau Chief for Nepal’s Himalini magazine.)
25-01-2025

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