72nd R-Day celebrated with fervour

Tribune News Service
Shimla, January 27

The 72nd Republic Day was celebrated with gaiety and fervour across the state on Tuesday. Governor Bandaru Dattatreya unfurled the National Flag and took the salute of the march past at the state-level function held on The Ridge here.

The Governor inspected the parade and took the salute from an impressive march past led by Commander Capt Dheeraj Saini from 2 Naga Regiment. Lady Governor Vasantha Bandaru and Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur were also present on the occasion.

The march past was presented by the contingents of Army, ITBP, and SSB jawans, ex-servicemen, state police, Home Guard jawans, Himachal Pradesh Postal Services and National Service Scheme Cadets. A colourful cultural programme was also presented. Tableaux highlighting activities of different departments also formed part of the programme.

A skit based on development activities and welfare schemes of the state government performed by artistes of the Information and Public Relations Department and a skit by the cyber cell of the Police Department were the highlight of the day. A drill performance by Naga Regiment received all-round applause.

The tableau of the Himachal Pradesh Electricity Board was given the first prize. The Governor also honoured Dr Janak Raj, Medical Superintendent of Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital, Shimla, for his best performance in the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana.

Urban Development Minister Suresh Bhardwaj, chief whip Narender Bragta, MLAs Vinod Kumar and Balbir Verma, Mayor Satya Kaundal, Chief Secretary Anil Khachi, DGP Sanjay Kundu and other senior civil, police and military officers also participated in the celebration.