SHIMLA: Grateful people of Himachal Pradesh led by Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister paid glowing tributes to the founder Chief Minister of the State, late Dr. Y.S. Parmar, by offering flowers at his statue and portrait and organizing other programmes to mark the celebration of 102nd birthday of the Architect of Modern Himachal Pradesh here today.

Chief Minister paid floral tributes at the statue installed at the historic Ridge and was followed by his Cabinet colleagues, former Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh, State BJP President, Shri Jai Ram Thakur, State Congress President, Shri Kaul Singh Thakur, Members of the Legislative Assembly, former members, family members of the late Dr. Y.S. Parmar, Shri Narender Kataria, Mayor, Municipal Corporation, Shimla, Councilors and above all people from all walks of life.

Addressing the gathering at the Dr. Y.S. Parmar Library Hall at the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha Complex, Chief Minister said that Dr. Parmar was a legend in himself, a democrat in real sense, son of the soil and a down to earth leader who dedicated his entire life to get the people of the state, a separate political identity. He formulated policies and programmes for the socio-economic development of the rural people so that the state could progress from the grass root level onwards and emerge one day as a model state for rest of the country. He said that late Dr. Parmar was born in a remote village of district Sirmour and was aware of the practical difficulties of the common man, which he wanted to be redressed speedily. He said that despite limited educational and other facilities in the villages, late Dr. Parmar acquired highest of the qualifications.

Prof. Dhumal said that people of Himachal Pradesh would always remain indebted to its first Chief Minister for his visionary policies and programmes aimed at speedy development of the hilly state of Himachal Pradesh. He said that late Dr. Parmar had envisioned a self reliant, prosperous and developed Himachal Pradesh and the state government was committed to realize the dream of the Architect of the State in right earnest. He said that it was due to his efforts that the state attained full-fledged statehood on January 25, 1971 under his dynamic leadership, since he had very cordial relations with the First Prime Minister of the country, late Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru and his daughter, former Prime Minister, late Smt. Indira Gandhi. He said that it had also helped the state in getting many additional benefits for the developmental purposes as well.

Chief Minister said that late Dr. Parmar had served the state as Chief Minister for a long time and had laid solid foundation of the modern Himachal Pradesh with his visionary policies and programmes. He said that the modern horticulture sector had been the vision of the former Chief Minister who knew for himself that it would bring a sea change in the economy of rural Himachal Pradesh He said that contribution of late Dr. Parmar would be remembered for years to come by the grateful people of Himachal Pradesh and real tribute to the great visionary leader would be to follow the path shown for the overall development and socio-economic upliftment of the weaker sections of the society.Khimi Ram, Deputy Speaker, Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha, welcomed the Chief Minister and remembered the contribution made by him for preparation of roadmap of the modern Himachal Pradesh. He said that late Dr. Parmar had contributed significantly towards promotion of the horticultural activities. He said that at the infancy stage of the state, late Dr. Parmar enacted many laws, rules and regulation keeping in view the requirements of the people of the state. He said that he would always remain a source of inspiration to the people of Himachal Pradesh.