New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday congratulated the people of Himachal Pradesh on Himachal Day and said that development in the state, especially in areas of tourism, education and research will be given utmost importance by the state government and the Centre. He also emphasised that the next 25 years will be a period of new changes and resolution.
"In next 25 yrs, Himachal Pradesh's formation & 100 years of country's independence will be completed. This is an 'amritkal' of new resolutions. During this period, we've to ensure to develop the state further in areas of tourism, research, said PM Modi while extending his wishes, as reported by news agency ANI.
PM Modi also spoke about how the topography of Himachal Pradesh posed challenges for the state and the country in terms of development after it became a province of India in 1948.
"When Himachal Pradesh was formed in 1948, there were several challenges. Being a small mountainous region, there were more apprehensions than possibilities due to difficult conditions and challenging geography. But the hardworking, honest, people of Himachal converted challenges into opportunities," said the Prime Minister.
Besides PM Modi, Union Home Minister also extended his greetings to the people of the state on Himachal Day.
Taking to Twitter, the Home minister said, "I extend my best wishes to all the residents of Devbhoomi on the occasion of Himachal Day."
"Under the guidance of Narendra Modi Ji, the government of Jairam Thakur Ji is working to make the state a leader in development along with cherishing the culture of Himachal, the land of natural beauty and spirituality," Shah further said.
Himachal Day is a gazetted public holiday in the state and is celebrated on April 15 every year. It was on this day in 1948 that Himachal Pradesh was created as a province of India after the integration of 28 petty princely states.
Assembly election in Himachal Pradesh is due later this year for which political parties have started preparing ground.