Uttarakhand Governor Dr KK Paul hoisted the tri-colour on the occasion of the 66th Republic Day at Parade Ground in Dehradun on Monday. He took the salute at the Republic Day march-past presented by the contingents of the Army, SSB’s women and men wings, PRD jawans, National Cadet Core (NCC), Mounted Police, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Home Guards, PAC jawans, ex-servicemen and others.
Attractive tableaux by various departments of the Government were also enacted and folk artistes performed dance and music.The Governor honoured three police persons with the President’s police medal for excellent service, seven police persons with police medals and two with medals for firefighting. A total of nine tableaux were exhibited and department of Udyog that scored 47.5 out of 60 points was declared the first followed by Watershed with 45 points whereas department of tourism secured third positions. A total of 12 contingents of various police forces took part in march-past and the Army was declared first followed by SSB (men) while Uttarakhand police (men) securing third position.
Freedom fighters, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat, Dehradun Mayor Vinod Chamoli, Home Minister Pritam Singh, Health Minister SS Negi, Chief Secretary N Ravishankar, OSD and Secretary to Governor Arun Dhaundiyal, DGP BS Sidhu, DM Ravinath Ram, SSP Pushpak Jyoti and several other officials of the government were present on the occasion.
Among other present on the occasion were OSD and secretary to Governor, Arun Dhaundiyal, finance controller Punam Sobti, ADCs Dr YS Rawat and J Khanduri. This aside, the officers and staff members of Raj Bhawan were present. later Governor Paul planted Bel and Rudraksh saplings in the campus to give a message of environment conservation, it is learnt.
Dr KK Paul paid homage to the heroes of the freedom struggle who laid down their lives for the freedom of the country. He expressed gratitude towards the Constitution- makers who ensured dignity, equality and respect for every citizen. The Governor greeted all the people of the State and called upon them to pledge themselves to keep democratic values and peace, brotherhood and cooperation in the State. lauding India’s pluralistic ethos, he said the people of all communities and sections should feel secure. This is what can ensure the State’s progress. We must do things so that we become proud of being part of the Indian democracy.
Meanwhile, Republic Day was celebrated across the State peacefully. Politicians, government officers and other private institution heads hoisted national flags in the morning.In Dehradun, after hoisting flags at their respective offices, the government officials reached Parade Ground at 10.00 am to witness R-Day celebrations there. Security arrangements were made in and around Parade Ground area, the venue of main function, and across the State to ensure peaceful celebrations.
While interacting with media persons, Uttarakhand CM Rawat also greeted the people and said that the State Government is committed to take all possible steps for the welfare of the people.Meanwhile, thousands of Doon residents and those from other parts of the State started reaching the Parade Ground since morning to witness Republic Day parade and government departments’ colourful tableaux. Governor Paul reached the parade ground at around10.25 am and unfurled the tri-colour at 10.30 am.
Apart from this, various departments including horticulture, education, health, rural development, agriculture, tourism and forest of the State Government displayed their tableaux. Tableaux of different departments highlighted the development and welfare schemes being implemented across the State.Meanwhile, the Chief Minister Harish Rawat hoisted the national flag at Bijapur guest house on Monday. Rawat said, “Republic Day is a day to remember those who have provided us with a fair and secular country.
Greeting the people on the occasion, the CM said that secularism and democracy are our identities. Our constitution has proved an inspiration for other countries. He said that following attainment of independence, we waged a war for development.The CM added that the people from Uttarakahnd had actively participated in the freedom struggle. The country is also protected by army, para military and police. We extend gratitude to all these forces. The CM also paid tribute to martyred revolutionaries from the State.
The State Government has taken a decision to give pension to them who are above 60. A meeting will be held on 31 January to discuss the matter of lowering the age limit. . A welfare corpus will also be made for dependents of the freedom fighters.A programme will be organised to felicitate families of the martyred personnel from army, para military and police who laid down their lives for the country at all the district headquarters, he added. Walnut, Chura and Mahua will be developed as environment friendly trees and linked to Humara Pedh, Humara Dhan scheme.
This will include bonus of Rs 400 for these trees. A revolving fund of Rs five crore has been developed for the education of the disaster- affected children. Another fund of Rs five crore will be developed for their entrepreneurship. He felicitated freedom fighters at Parade Ground. Vidhan Sabha Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal also hoisted the national flag at the Assembly on Republic Day. Addressing the officials and employees working in the Vidhan Sabha, Kunjwal said that India is among the strongest democracies in the world.
The system in the republic is such that the real power rests with the people and their elected representatives. He said, “65 years ago not even a needle was manufactured in our country but today we are a self reliant nation. In fact, we now export various Indian manufactured goods to different countries across the world and are among the developing nations of the world,” said the Speaker. He said that all officials and employees of the State should execute their responsibilities sincerely in national interest and for the welfare of the State. Vidhan Sabha deputy speaker Dr Anusuya Prasad Maikhuri, Vidhan Sabha secretary Jagdish Chandra and others were among those present on the occasion.
Meanwhile, Chief Secretary N Ravishankar hoisted the national flag at the secretariat on the occasion. Addressing the officials and employees at the secretariat, the chief secretary urged them to work towards achievement of good governance. He stressed that good governance is vital for fulfilling the dream of Uttarakhand being an ideal State. He exhorted the gathering to pledge themselves towards strengthening the three tiers of good governance- simple process, clean system and sensitive concerned administration.
Uttarakhand Director General Police BS Sidhu unfurled the tri-colour at Police Headquarters, Dehradun and congratulated the policemen who have been named for President’s Police Medal, Police Medal for Meritorious Service, Fire Service Medal, Governor’s police Award for Gallantry and Meritorious Service and Commendable Service Medal on the occasion of Republic Day-2015. Sidhu also awarded some police officers and policemen with medals and cash prizes on the occasion. Sidhu appealed to the police officers and police personnel to keep their moorings erect. All the senior police officers, including ADGPs Ram Singh Meena and Anil Kumar Raturi, were present on the occasion.