Himachal Pradesh- The Land of Lords
Once known as Trigarta, Himachal Pradesh came into existence as The Chief Commissioner’s Province of Himachal Pradesh on 15th April, 1948 after the Independence of India. Himachal Pradesh is one of the least urbanized state of India. There are only 50 odd established towns in Himachal Pradesh. The summer capital of India during the British reign in India was Shimla, which is the present capital of Himachal Pradesh and is the most modernized town of the state. Himachal Pradesh was earmarked as a separate integral entity of India after India got independence on 15th April, 1948 . Four big districts of Chamba, Mahasu, Mandi and Sirmour were integrated with over two dozen small princely states to make it a Union Territory of India. The same day i.e. 15th April is observed as Himachal Day. It is celebrated every year by state Government with great Pomp and Show.
Himachal Day, When and Why?
Why do we celebrate Himachal Day? Is it different from Himachal State Hood day? What all is done on the Himachal Day? The answers for the above questions is what we will find here in this article.
After the Independence of India, the greatest challenge for the Indian government was to merge all the princely states of India into as few provinces as possible. In this series of processes which happened to unite the country, on 15th April, 1948, Himachal Pradesh came into existence for the first time. It was given the status of a Union Territory, A territory which was combined with the merger of 30 princely states.
After independence of India, under the President-ship of Sh. Shivanand Ramoul, ‘Himalayan Plant Government’ was established , the Head quarter of which was at Shimla. It was the first effort for providing existence to the hill state. The members of Himalayan hill states and Kings of various princely states of Himachal under leader ship of King Jogendra Sen of Mandi signed a treaty on 8th March at Delhi and made way to establish “Himachal Pradesh”. The four Districts of then made Union Territory of Himachal Pradesh were Chamba, Mahasu, Mandi and Sirmour. Himachal Pradesh came into existence on 15th April, 1948 and hence this day (15th April) is celebrated as Himachal Day every year.
Celebrations of Himachal Day Every year.
On 15th April every year since 1948, Himachal Pradesh celebrates Himachal Day. It is a day celebrated by the state Government with full enthusiasm and exhibition of Government’s work for welfare of state. The State Government offices are kept close as it is a state public holiday. A place is designated at Himachal, where state function is to be organized. Mostly the state function is organized at Shimla , the state capital. The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh is the guest of the day. He inaugurates the ceremony, A grand parade is organized by the state Police and Home Guards. It is a day when a lot of offerings from the state government are expected by the citizens of the state, especially those who are working in the state Government offices. The gathering is huge as almost all the Government officials and leaders are expected to attend the ceremony and celebrations.
Celebrations of 2021
The COVID-19 situation marred the celebrations at any level since December,2019. This year on 15th April, 2021, Himachal Day was observed rather silently. The present Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Mr. Jairam hails from Mandi. This year’s celebrations of Himachal Day were arranged at Padhar in the Drang Vidhan Sabha area of the Mandi district.The Chief Minister unfurled the Tricolour, and took a salute from the contingents of Police and Home Guards.This year Chief Minister announced Rs 1500 ex-gratia/honorarium to all the Class III and IV employees such as staff nurses, ward boys, Class IV employees, Asha workers etc. involved directly in the service of COVID-19 patients for April and May.
The Unheard facts of Himachal Day
- Himachal celebrates 2 state days, one is Himachal Day on 15th April, and other is Himachal Pradesh Statehood Day on 25th January. On 15th April, 1948, Himachal Pradesh came into existence for the very first time as a Union Territory of India. , while on 25th January 1971, Himachal Pradesh got its statehood ,and became the 18th state of India.
- Acharya Diwakar Datt Sharma, a renowned Sanskrit Scholar coined the name “Himachal”.
- When Himachal Pradesh was declared a Union territory on 15th April, 1948,the area of Himachal Pradesh was only 27018 square Kilometer which is only about 50% of the present Himachal Pradesh (55673 Sq Km).
- From 15th April 1948 to 25th January, 1971, the state of Himachal got several modifications. The Districts of Solan, Hamirpur and Una came into existence only after 1971 i.e after achieving full statehood of State..
- Bilaspur was not added to the UT of Himachal on 1948 because Bhakhra Dam project was under construction at that time. It was the year 1954 , when it got added to Himachal and it became the 5th District of Himachal Pradesh.
- When Himachal was made for the very first time it had only 4 districts, at present the number of Districts are 3 times i.e. 12.