Uttarakhand celebrates 66th Republic Day

Dehradun, January 26

The 66th Republic Day was celebrated with enthusiasm across Uttarakhand on Monday with Governor KK Paul hoisting the tricolour at the main function held at the Parade Ground here.

The function was held amid drizzle as Chief Minister Harish Rawat was the first to arrive at the venue to interact with freedom fighters invited to grace the occasion and honoured them by offering them shawls.

Governor KK Paul then arrived at the ground and unfurled the tricolour before taking a ceremonial salute by the police and paramilitary forces.

Schoolchildren presented a colourful cultural programme before the Governor which was followed by presentation of tableaux by different government departments showcasing their achievements.

The Governor also gave away President's Medal to police officials and firemen.

President's Police Medal for Distinguished Service were given to IG Girish Chandra Pant, DSP Shakuntala Hotiyal and sub-inspector Chandra Mohan.

Police Medal for Commendable Service went to SP (vigilance) Vijay Singh Karki, DSP Pratap Singh Pangti besides seven other policemen.

Fireservice medals were given to Tehri's fire brigade official Rajendra Singh Khati and Champavat's head fireman Gopal Singh Bisht.

For the first time, so many medals have been given to police and firemen in Uttarakhand since it was carved out of Uttar Pradesh in the year 2000. On an average the 'Vishist Seva Medal' was given to just one person every year and 'Srahaniya Seva Medal' to four.

Earlier, extending his greetings to the people of Uttarakhand in his Republic Day message, Governor KK Paul said, "For every Indian, it is a matter of great pride that for 66 years, people of various castes, religions and sections have been using their rights, guided by principles of justice, freedom, equality, unity, brotherhood and dignity of the individual."

"On this occasion, I pay homage and express gratitude, on behalf of the people of the country, towards all the heroes of the freedom struggle on the basis of whose tough struggle, sacrifice, moral strength and strong will power, we today proudly stand as the largest democracy of the world," he said.

It is a matter of great happiness that Uttarakhand, moving constantly in the direction of development, has completed 14 years of its existence.

In these years, while facing several challenges, it has achieved remarkable success in many spheres.

"In the coming years, we must fix new goals for the development of the state and be prepared to face more challenges," he said.

By paying special attention to skill development, the youth of the state will be equipped to take full advantage of the employment opportunities created by industrial development in the state, he said.

"We are resolved to emerge from the effects of the natural disaster of 2013. Tourism based on aspects including the spiritual, adventurous and the natural beauty of the state will be restored to its earlier glory and this will benefit people involved in tourism in our state," he said.

"Our objective is to provide every citizen of the state a better life with all basic amenities and ensure that the benefits of development reach the man on the lowest rung of the social ladder," he said.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Harish Rawat today formally launched the CM Health Insurance Scheme on the occasion.

Launching the scheme he said people of the state can avail of the scheme with effect from April 1 this year.

The objective of this scheme, which will cover both APL and BPL families, is to provide relief to the common man, he said. Tax-paying families and families of government servants will not come under the ambit of the scheme, he said. A total of 1,350 elementary ailments and diseases of serious nature are covered under the scheme, he added.

PTI