DW BUREAU / shimla Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur inaugurated and laid foundation stones of 9 developmental projects amounting to Rs. 51.08 crore in Sujanpur Assembly Constituency of Hamirpur district today. While addressing the massive public meeting at Sujanpur ground in Sujanpur Vidhan Sabha area of Hamirpur district today as part of 'Pragatisheel Himachal: Sathapna Ke 75 Varsh' programme being celebrated to commemorate 75 years of existence of Himachal Pradesh, announced Rs. 50 lakh for improvement of Sujanpur bus stand, Rs 50 lakh for construction of PWD Rest House at Sujanpur and opening of Sub Judge Court at Sujanpur. Chief Minister said that today when the whole Nation was celebrating 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' to commemorate 75 years of freedom of the Nation, Himachal Pradesh was also celebrating 75 years of its existence. He said that the main objective behind this initiative was to instill the sense of love, passion and respect for the Nation and also the State. He said that the State Government was celebrating this event in a befitting manner by organizing 75 events throughout the State. Jai Ram Thakur said that the celebrations also aimed at educating the younger generation about the developmental, cultural and political journey of the State. He said that this was an occasion to pay our respect and gratitude to the leaders, doctors, engineers, teachers, employees, workers, farmers and above all the people of the State who contributed immensely towards the development of the State due to which Himachal Pradesh has emerged as a role model for other States of the country. Chief Minister said that at the time of formation of the State, there were only four districts whereas today there were 12 districts. He said that in 1948 the per capita income in the State was only Rs. 240 which has now increased to Rs. 2,01,873 and literacy rate of the State has gone up to 83 percent which was 4.8 percent in 1948. He said that Hamirpur was the most literate district of the State. He said that there were only 228 kms roads in the State in 1948, whereas today there were nearly 40,000 kms roads connecting even the remotest area of the State. He said that there were times when the people had to cross rivers on inflated skin of buffalo, whereas today there were over 2325 bridges in the State. He said that major credit of this goes to the former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who started PMGSY with an amount Rs 60000 crore as about 50 percent roads in the State were constructed under the PMGSY. Jai Ram Thakur said that former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee always considered Himachal Pradesh as his second home. He said that whenever he got time, Atal Bihari Vajpayee visited Manali for a day or two to spend a few moments of peace and tranquility. He said that now Prime Minister Narendra Modi also considered Himachal Pradesh his second home and has always been considerate towards the developmental needs of the people of the State. He thanked the Union Government in general and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in particular for sanctioning Bulk Drug Pharma Park for Himachal Pradesh. He expressed hope that this Park would prove a milestone in the development of the State and provide ample employment opportunities to the youth of the State. He said that projects worth Rs 10,000 crore were dedicated by the Prime Minister during his visit to Mandi. (editor@dailyworld.in)