15th April - Himachal Day

Located in North India, Himachal Pradesh is one of the most beautiful landmarks in India in terms of tourism. Known as a snow-laden region, its economy is the third fastest-growing in India and the 4th highest state as per capita income.

As per the Mahabharata, earlier the present-day Himachal Pradesh was made up of small republics which are known as Janpads. It means a constitution including a state as well as a cultural unit. If a glimpse is taken back into history, the freedom movement of Himachal Pradesh was very intense with the likes of Padam Dev, Dr. Y.S. Parmar, Daulat Ram amongst others who stood for state sovereignty.

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Himachal Pradesh: Declaration Of Province

After decades of struggle and after India’s independence, the chief commissioner’s province of Himachal was finally recognized on 15th April, 1948. Every year the Himachal Day is celebrated on this date as Himachal was declared as a province of India on this day. It is also declared as a public holiday within the state.

A grand parade takes place in the city of Shimla to mark this celebrated occasion. Many local events are also organized in various cities, towns, and villages of the state. Mandi, Chamba, Mahasu as well as Sirmour were integrated with the addition of another dozen princely states on this day.

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Himachal Day 2021

Himachal Day 2021 was celebrated amid great fanfare. This occasion was graced by several dignitaries- right from the Chief Minister to high-ranking officials of the police contingent. Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur unfurled the flag in the Bhavan to mark Himachal Day. Jai Ram Thakur paid respects to the freedom fighters who strived hard to unite the state and launched other initiatives too.

Homage was also paid to the first Himachal’s first CM Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar, who lead the pathway for Himachal to becoming the state it is today. Some notable announcements were made for Class III and IV employees. Rs 1500 ex-gratia/honorarium was announced for all Staff nurses, ward boys, Asha workers, etc. who gave their heart and soul to the service of COVID-19 patients. The parade participants were also honored during this event making it more special. Overall, Himachal Pradesh Day 2021 was a landmark to reckon with in the calendar of the state.

Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar: A Revolutionary

Whenever the talk of Himachal Day or Statehood Day takes place, the mention of the 1st Chief Minister of the state Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar, needs to be done. Without him, this unity wasn’t possible. He framed policies and helped in the direction of development in the state. He played an important role in the Prajamandal movement and the land reforms. This movement includes the integration of feudal states with the Indian union which had earlier helped him shape this trajectory for the state.

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Process and Constitution of Himachal Statehood Day

In 1950, Himachal was designated as a Part C state along with Ajmer, Bhopal, Bilaspur, Coorg, Delhi, Cutch, Manipur, Tripura, and Vindhya Pradesh. Later, Bilaspur was merged with Himachal forming a Union Territory on November 1, 1956. The rest of the areas like Kangra and other parts of Punjab came together with Himachal in November 1966.

Going further, the State of Himachal Pradesh Act was passed on December 18, 1970, and the state came into being on January 25, 1971. This is how Himachal Pradesh came into existence officially as the eighteenth state of India.

Candidates can also visit the linked article and learn about the Formation Dates of Indian States.

The Indira Gandhi Moment

The then Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi is always remembered whenever the Statehood Day celebration arrives. People of the state remember her as she had addressed a huge gathering amidst the cheers on January 25, 1971. Under the Act of the Parliament, she conferred full statehood for Himachal Pradesh.

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