Himachal is a small State with just four seats in Parliament. Yet it has the dynamism and drive to make it big provided it has the ideal leadership and guidance. It has already made a name for itself by sending the highest number of officers and men in the Army. Its valiant soldiers figure in the top list of military honours, Paramvir Chakras, Paramvishisht Seva Medals and many more.
The latest honour went to Himachal when in the State of States Conclave organised by the India Today Group in New Delhi on September 14 the man at the helm of affairs for the last 20 months, Chief Minister Prof Prem Kumar Dhumal was presented not one, two or three, but seven prestigious awards on behalf of the State of Himachal Pradesh by Union Finance Minister, Shri Pranab Mukherjee.
It was Prof. Dhumal’s leadership that helped Himachal Pradesh get the honour of being adjudged the Fastest Mover State in overall performance, Fastest Mover State in Macro Economy for the 2003-09 period; Fastest Mover State for the year 2003-09 in investment. In addition, this tiny State also ranked the highest among the Best Big States in education, health and investment and macro economy. It was a moment of pride both for Himachal Pradesh and its Chief Minister to win this honour.
Prof. Dhumal was made to participate in the panel discussions on different topics in all the three interactive sessions organised by the Weekly presided over, respectively, by Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, HRD Minister Kapil Sibal and Urban Development Minister S Jaipal Reddy.
He stressed the need for Evergreen Revolution to strengthen the agricultural economy of the country and make farming sector a viable avocation to keep the rural youth self-employed in the village itself. He said that the migration of rural population could be halted by creating basic amenities and infrastructure in the rural areas to prevent overcrowding in the towns.
Prof Dhumal said that active support of the Central Government was essential for creation of quality infrastructure in States so that they could be self-sustained. He also suggested exploring the possibility of public-private participation in achieving the objective. He demanded that policy formulation for rural areas should be based upon ground realities in consultation with the State concerned.
The Chief Minister said that health, education, agriculture and roads were the basic ingredients for the development of any State and it is in these sectors that a revolution has been ushered in the State.
He urged for liberal assistance to the best performing States to keep their morale high to carry forward their developmental projects. He emphasised the need for joint effort by the Centre and State Governments to provide impetus to the overall development of the country. He also urged liberalisation of Forest Conservation Act to carry forward developmental activities uninterrupted.
Other highlights
During Shri Dhumal’s earlier stint as CM every primary school was provided with three pucca roomed accommodation under the Saraswati Bal Vidya Sankalp Yojna
In the tribal and difficult areas, under Yashwant Gurukul Awas Yojna teachers were provided semi-furnished accommodation in the villages.
The State had almost cent per cent enrolment in the schools situated at a reasonable distance in villages. The State registered a 20 per cent enrolment for the higher education as compared to the national average of about 14 per cent.
The experiment of opening of the first University of Information Technology in the private sector had been successful. The State was encouraging private participation in setting up of centres of learning in association with competent private players to make Himachal Pradesh a Centre for Par Excellence learning.
An Atal Shiksha Kunj was being developed in district Solan where four universities of par excellence were being established in private sector.
Higher literacy
Himachal had achieved over 85 per cent literacy. Present Government was committed to providing students with affordable world class education to produce manpower which could explore greater horizons for employment and self-employment.
