DW BUREAU / shimla Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, while presiding over the State level function held at Peterhof Shimla today on the occasion of 116th birth anniversary of founder and first Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar, said that Dr. Parmar was not only a founder of Himachal Pradesh, but he also laid a sound foundation for further development of the State. Chief Minister said that Dr. Y. S. Parmar had a vision of making Himachal Pradesh to carve out its own identity. He said that it was the commitment and dedication of Dr. Parmar that despite all odds, Himachal Pradesh got a separate identity. He said that Dr. Parmar had special love and respect for Himachali culture and traditions. He said that he never missed an opportunity to showcase the rich cultural repository of the State. Jai Ram Thakur said that Dr. Parmar was a towering personality thus the birth anniversary of such a leader should be celebrated in a befitting manner, thus, he decided to celebrate this occasion in a befitting manner outside the small Hall of Vidhan Sabha. He said that at the time of formation of the State, there were only 228 kms. roads, therefore, the major thrust and top most priority of Dr. Parmar was on construction of roads in the State. Today the State has a strong network of over 39,500 kms roads, he said. The Chief Minister said that the State has been witness to a long and eventful long journey of 75 years. He said that the State Government was celebrating this event in a befitting manner and showcasing the glorious journey by organizing 75 events throughout the State. He said that people of the State would also be sensitized by putting up exhibitions of the theme 'Himachal Tub Aur Ab'. He said that credit of this eventful journey goes to the hardworking and simple people of the State. He said that Pahari language and culture must be promoted in a big way. He said that Dr. Parmar was a great enthusiast of the Pahari culture and used to wear the Pahari dress and promoted Pahari culture. Dr Parmar was a real ambassador of the rich culture of the State, he added. Jai Ram Thakur said that the interests of the State must always be the top most priority for everyone and each must come forward to make Himachal Pradesh a most developed State in the country. He said that on this auspicious day we all must rededicate ourselves for making Himachal Pradesh a strong and vibrant State of the country. Chief Minister honoured son of Dr Y.S. Parmar and former MLA Kush Parmar on the occasion. Chief Minister also released a book 'Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar Mass Leader ?An Apostle of Honesty and Integrity' written by Dr Rajender Attri. A documentary on the life of Dr. Parmar produced by the Information and Public Relations Department was also screened on the occasion. Earlier, the Chief Minister paid tributes to Dr. Parmar by garlanding his portrait at Peterhof and inaugurated a photo exhibition on the life and works of Dr Parmar. (editor@dailyworld.in)