Tricolour flies high at Chaugan as Himachal Speaker presides over Nahan function

The district-level function marking the 77th Republic Day was celebrated with enthusiasm at the historic Chaugan ground in Nahan, with Himachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania presiding over the event.

The ceremony began with the unfurling of the national flag by the Speaker, followed by the salute to an impressive parade. As many as 16 contingents comprising the police, Home Guards, NCC, NSS and students from various schools participated in the march past, led by Police Sub-Inspector Achhar Singh. The disciplined display reflected strong patriotic fervour and civic pride.

Addressing the gathering, the Speaker extended greetings and recalled the historic significance of January 26, 1950, when independent India adopted its Constitution and became a sovereign republic. He paid tributes to freedom fighters and martyrs who made supreme sacrifices for the nation. Remembering Dr BR Ambedkar, he expressed gratitude to the visionary leaders who contributed to the framing of the Constitution, adding that the people of Himachal Pradesh had always upheld constitutional values and social harmony.

During his address, however, Pathania inadvertently extended greetings on the occasion of Independence Day instead of Republic Day. The brief lapse later drew public attention, with a video clip of the moment circulating widely on social media.

Highlighting the state’s progress, the Speaker said the government had focused on creating new resources to strengthen the economy, resulting in revenue generation of Rs 26,683 crore over the past three years. He also spoke about the Mukhyamantri Sukh-Aashray Yojana, under which Himachal Pradesh has become the first state to act as a guardian for destitute children by granting them the status of “Children of the State”. Nearly 6,000 children are being supported through education, housing assistance, land and financial aid.

Earlier, the Speaker paid floral tributes at the Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar Memorial and Shaheed Smarak. The programme concluded with colourful cultural performances by school students and the felicitation of 29 police personnel, three Forest Department employees, Rotary Club Nahan president Manish Jain and participants in the parade and cultural events.