Himachal Pradesh Government

Chief Minister lays foundation stone of Rs. 35 crore critical care block at Jol Sapper
Says ultra-modern laboratories will be established in all medical colleges at a cost of Rs. 150 crore

Various departments of the Medical College to start at Jol Sapper in first week of July

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu laid the foundation stone of an ultra-modern critical care block to be constructed at the new campus of Dr. Radhakrishnan Government Medical College, Hamirpur, at Jol Sapper near the district headquarters at an estimated cost of around Rs. 35 crore.

Later, he inspected the newly constructed hospital block, academic block and other under-construction buildings on the campus. He issued directions to officials of the CPWD, the PWD and the Medical College regarding the timely completion of ongoing works and quality assurances. The Chief Minister instructed them to expedite the process of handing over the hospital and academic blocks to the Medical College administration and to complete the shifting of various college and hospital departments to Jol Sapper at the earliest.

The Chief Minister stated that the functioning of these important departments at Jol Sapper would commence in the first week of July. He also held detailed discussions with officials regarding other issues related to the Medical College and concerns raised by local residents.

He said that the state government would provide Rs. 150 crore for the modernization of laboratories in medical colleges across the state. This funding would be used to install state-of-the-art equipment and machines in the laboratories. He added that decades-old machines and equipment at the Indira Gandhi Medical College in Shimla and the Medical College at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College would be replaced with the latest technology and equipment.

The Chief Minister further stated that the state government was undertaking large-scale recruitment of doctors, professors, nurses and other healthcare staff. This would ensure adequate staffing in all medical colleges and healthcare institutions, and help provide better medical services to the public.

On this occasion, Medical College Principal Dr. Ramesh Bharti, along with officials from the CPWD and the PWD, briefed the Chief Minister on the latest status of the various construction works underway at the new campus.

Those present on the occasion included Ayush, Law, Youth Services and Sports Minister Yadvinder Goma, MLAs Suresh Kumar and Captain Ranjit Singh, Chairman of the State Agricultural Marketing Board Kuldeep Singh Pathania, Chairman of the Kangra Cooperative Primary Agriculture and Rural Development Bank Ram Chandra Pathania, State Drug De-addiction Board Coordinator and Advisor Naresh Thakur, Vice Chairman of the OBC Finance and Development Corporation Mohan Lal, OBC Commission member Rajiv Rana, APMC Chairman Ajay Sharma, District Congress President Suman Bharti, senior party leaders Dr. Pushpendra Verma and Subhash Dhatwalia, Deputy Commissioner Gandharva Rathore, Superintendent of Police Balveer Singh and other officials.

Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister also met members of the public at the Circuit House in Hamirpur and listened to their grievances and concerns.

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Governor leads International Yoga Day celebrations at historic Ridge
·Yoga Day being celebrated in 189 countries due to Prime Minister’s efforts: Kavinder Gupta

·Says, Yoga is a priceless gift of India’s sages to humanity

·Administers pledge for a drug-free Himachal Pradesh

Governor Kavinder Gupta led the celebrations on the occasion of the 12^th International Yoga Day by participating in a mass yoga session organized at the historic Ridge ground in Shimla. The programme was jointly organized by the Himachal Pradesh Police Department in collaboration with the Department of AYUSH.

Addressing the gathering, the Governor said that India's ancient tradition of yoga has today been embraced by people across the world. He emphasized that efforts should be made to promote yoga in every household so that every individual can lead a healthy and balanced life.

"A healthy body is the foundation of a healthy mind. Yoga provides a holistic path to physical fitness, mental well-being and spiritual growth," he said.

The Governor, accompanied by Lady Governor Bindu Gupta, participated in the yoga session and encouraged people from all walks of life to adopt yoga as an integral part of their daily routine.

The yoga practice session conducted under the supervision of Dr. Satya Prakash Pathak of the Department of Yoga Studies, Himachal Pradesh University, included pranayama and various important yogic postures. Students of the University’s Yoga Department guided the participants through nearly one-and-a-half hours of yoga exercises.

Earlier, the Governor administered a pledge for a Drug-Free Himachal Pradesh to all participants and later honoured individuals who demonstrated excellence in yoga practice by presenting them with certificates of appreciation.

On the sideline of the function, while interacting with media persons, Kavinder Gupta said that due to the visionary efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, International Yoga Day is now being celebrated in 189 countries across the globe. Referring to this year's theme, "Yoga for Healthy Ageing," he said that the entire nation was conveying the message of health, wellness and active living through yoga.

The Governor highlighted the relevance of yoga in promoting physical, mental and spiritual well-being. He described yoga as a priceless gift from the sages of India, designed not only to strengthen the body but also to harmonize the mind and soul.

"It is a matter of great pride for every Indian that this ancient heritage has received global recognition. The declaration of 21^st June as International Yoga Day by the United Nations has brought worldwide attention and respect to India's rich cultural legacy," he said.

Kavinder Gupta observed that while yoga was initially adopted around the world primarily for physical fitness, people are increasingly embracing it as a means of spiritual awakening and inner transformation.

"Yoga is not merely about physical postures, it is a journey towards self-awareness, balance and inner peace," he remarked.

The Governor urged people to embrace yoga as a way of life and emphasized upon its potential to address various social challenges. He said that yoga can contribute significantly towards improving public health, fostering social harmony and combating substance abuse.

"Himachal Pradesh is blessed with natural beauty and a pure environment. Preserving its sanctity requires collective effort, and yoga can become a powerful instrument in building a healthy, disciplined and drug-free society," he added.

Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, Mayor Municipal Corporation Shimla Surinder Chauhan, Director General of Police Ashok Tiwari, senior officers of the Police and AYUSH Departments, and a large number of yoga enthusiasts, students and citizens participated in the programme.

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Government providing world-class facilities to sportspersons: Chief Minister
Provision of crores in cash rewards for international medal winners; Nadaun indoor stadium to be inaugurated this year

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu interacted with young trainees, budding athletes and other children at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Centre of Excellence in Anu. Rs. He said that the state government was committed to providing world-class facilities to talented athletes. As part of this effort, a modern indoor stadium was being constructed in Nadaun at a cost of approximately Rs. 125 crore. The stadium would be dedicated to the state's athletes later this year. It would offer international-standard facilities for 14 sports, including swimming, badminton, volleyball and tennis.

The Chief Minister, who was interacting with the children after participating in the State-Level International Yoga Day celebration and yoga practice session, further stated that the state government has introduced substantial cash rewards for medal winners in international competitions. Gold medalists at the Asian Games will receive Rs. 3 crore, silver medalists Rs. 2 crore and bronze medalists up to Rs. 1.5 crore. Similarly, athletes who perform exceptionally well at the Olympic Games and other international competitions are also being awarded cash prizes worth crores of rupees.

He further noted that soon after assuming office three and a half years ago, the state government significantly increased the diet allowance for athletes. Provisions have also been made for athletes to travel by air and in AC class on trains.

The Chief Minister added that adequate budgetary provisions were being made for the repair and renovation of the synthetic track ground at Anu.

On this occasion, several young and budding athletes interacted with the Chief Minister. The children appeared highly enthusiastic and encouraged by the opportunity to meet and engage with him.

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Chief Minister performs yoga with nearly 2,000 people
Presides over State-Level International Yoga Day event at SAI ground in Anu

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu presided over a state-level program on the occasion of International Yoga Day organised by the Department of Ayush at the Synthetic Track Ground of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) in Anu today.

On this occasion, the Chief Minister practiced yoga for about 45 minutes along with nearly 2,000 participants, including senior citizens, youth and children.

The Chief Minister inaugurated the yoga session by lighting a ceremonial lamp and offering prayers to Lord Dhanvantari. He also released a booklet related to International Day of Yoga. The booklet contains a concise compilation of important information about various yoga postures and practices.

Among those present at the event were Ayush, Law, Youth Services and Sports Minister Yadvinder Goma, MLAs Suresh Kumar and Captain Ranjit Singh, Chairman of the State Agricultural Marketing Board Kuldeep Singh Pathania, Chairman of the Kangra Cooperative Primary Agriculture and Rural Development Bank Ram Chandra Pathania, Coordinator and Advisor of the State Drug Prevention Board Naresh Thakur, Vice Chairman of the OBC Finance and Development Corporation Dr. Mohan Lal, OBC Commission member Rajeev Rana, Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee Chairman Ajay Sharma, Congress District President Suman Bharti, senior party leaders Dr. Pushpendra Verma and Subhash Dhatwalia, other party office-bearers, Ayush Department Secretary Shainamol, Director Rohit Jamwal, Deputy Commissioner Gandharva Rathore, Superintendent of Police Balveer Singh and other officials.

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CM inaugurates parking facility at Kasumpti
Rs. 150 crore allocated for widening of Shimla circular road

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today inaugurated a multi- storeyed parking at SDA complex Kasumpti area of Shimla constructed at a cost of Rs. 28.37 crore with facility to accommodate 315 vehicles.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the state government was committed to provide basic amenities to the people of the State. He said that this parking facility will be beneficial to the local people and tourists alike. The present State Government had made adequate budget provision to complete the construction work of this parking facility. He said that Shimla city require more parking slots and the government was focusing on constructing more facilities.

He said that the state government was spending Rs. 246 crore for construction of underground utility duct system to make Shimla a more organized and efficient city. He said that overhead cables across the city were being shifted underground to improve its visual appeal and provide a better experience for the people. This would not only strengthen the city's infrastructure but also support tourism by preserving Shimla's old glory and scenic beauty.

Sh. Sukhu said that the state government was also spending Rs. 150 crore for improvement and widening of circular road in Shimla town. The decongestion of this road would go a long way in facilitating the local public and tourists.

Rural Development and Panchyati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh, PWD and Urban Development Minister Vikramaditya Singh, Mayor Surender Chauhan, Deputy Mayor Uma Kaushal, Councillors, Special Secretary, PWD Harbans Brascon and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.

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Governor extends greetings to West Bengal residents living in Himachal Pradesh
Lok Bhavan hosts ‘Milan Programme’ to celebrate West Bengal Foundation Day

As a part of the vision of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’, a special 'Milan Programme' was organized at Lok Bhavan today to celebrate the Foundation Day of West Bengal. The residents of West Bengal living in Himachal Pradesh participated enthusiastically in the programme.

Governor Kavinder Gupta welcomed the guests and honoured them with traditional Himachali caps and mufflers as a gesture of goodwill and cultural fraternity.

While interacting with the participants, the Governor extended his warm greetings on the Foundation Day of West Bengal and appreciated the State’s rich cultural heritage, vibrant traditions, literary excellence and significant contributions to the nation’s social, cultural and intellectual development.

The Governor said that the 'Milan Programmes' organized at Lok Bhavan on the Foundation Days of various States embody the true spirit of 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat' by strengthening the bonds of national unity through cultural exchange and mutual understanding.

“These programmes bring people together and foster a sense of belonging, ensuring that individuals living away from their home States continue to feel connected to their roots while becoming an integral part of the larger national family,” he said.

Shri Gupta observed that the 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat' initiative promotes mutual respect for India’s linguistic, cultural and regional diversity while reinforcing the spirit of national integration. He said that while unity in diversity remains India’s greatest strength, it was equally important to preserve and promote the unique cultures, languages and traditions of individual States.

“Our rich cultural heritage can be preserved only when these values and traditions are passed onto future generations,” the Governor remarked.

The participants shared insights into West Bengal’s vibrant cultural legacy, traditions, festivals, literature, art and cuisine, and engaged in a meaningful interaction with the Governor.

Secretary to the Governor Sandeep Bhardwaj was also present on the occasion.

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