The 68th Republic Day was celebrated with usual enthusiasm and fervor in Himachal Pradesh and hundreds of people assembled at the historic Ridge Ground at the state level function here braving intense cold and heavy rains.
Governor Acharya Devvrat unfurled the tricolor and took salute at an impressive march past by contingents of Army, ITBP, Police Home Guards, Fire brigade, Scouts and Guides and Mounted police.
Tableau, depicting developmental activities of various department were also at display and a colourful cultural programme was also presented on the occasion.
The venue of cultural programmed was shifted to Gaiety Theatre due to heavy rains.
Republic day functions, presided over by ministers were held at all district headquarters and people braved rains and snow at Kullu to attend the function.
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Meanwhile, Himachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker Brij Behari Lal Butail presided over the Republic Day function at Dharamsala amid heavy downpour.
"The state has emerged as a role model of development for other hill states of the country. The state government has fulfilled all its promises in the last four years and achieved various milestones," he said after paying rich tributes to martyrs at Shaheed Samarak here.
The state Assembly has emerged a pioneer in terms of effective implementation of the e-vidhan system that has made House proceedings paperless, he said.
Butail said 40,575 youths of the district had been provided skill development.
Dr Rajendra Prasad Medical College in Tanda is being strengthened and several super-speciality facilities are being provided in the institute, he said, adding rope-ways have been sanctioned between Dharamshala-McLeodganj and Chamuda-Himani Chamunda.
In Mandi, Health and Family Welfare Minister Kaul Singh Thakur presided over the R-Day function at Seri Manch.
He said the state government has opened nine Sub Divisions, 14 Tehsils and 29 Sub Tehsils in its present tenure.
Meanwhile in Hamirpur, State Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister G S Bali unfurled the national flag at the Senior Secondary School for Boys.
"Rajeev Gandhi Technical Education Scholarship would be started from this year for meritorious students and 300 new buses will be added to State TransportCorporation's fleet soon," he announced.
Urban Development Minister Sudhir Sharma presided over the R-Day at Nahan town. He announced that the DPR for a Rs 88 crore sewerage scheme has been prepared for the town and would be approved soon.
State Power Minister Sujan Singh Pathani at Bilaspur said 64 lakh LED bulbs had been distributed on highly subsidised rates while Forest Minister Thakur Singh Bharmouri at Chamba announced that under the Mid-Himalayan Watershed Project 900 new panchayats will be included in the state.
Bharmouri honoured nine civilians and six police personnel for rendering exceptional services.
The R-Day function at Una was presided over by State Industries Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, at Solan by State Social Justice Minister Dhani Ram Shandil, at Kullu State Ayurveda Minister Karan Singh.
Despite heavy snowfall the Day was celebrated with fervour at Reckong Peo and Keylong.
