The Chief Minister announced **Rs. 1 lakh to encourage young girls** who participated in the cultural programme. Awareness programmes focusing on drug abuse and female foeticide were also presented.
Kangra’s fairs and festivals therefore represent much more than annual celebrations. They are living expressions of the district’s faith, folk traditions, community spirit, sports culture and artistic heritage. At a time when modern lifestyles are rapidly changing rural society, preserving these traditions can help ensure that younger generations remain connected with their cultural roots.
Priyanka Gandhi said that the entire state had bravely faced the natural disaster of 2023. She said the people of Himachal Pradesh had proved that their courage and determination were as firm and high as the Himalayas. She said that students would learn and understand more about the values of the Constitution, equality, mutual love, unity and the spirit of brotherhood at school. She said that the process of strengthening their skills would begin at school itself. She said the students were the future of the country.
Following the cultural programme, the entire school family watched the live telecast of the inspiring address by **Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Shri Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu**. His message further strengthened the resolve of the students, teachers and staff to contribute towards building a stronger, progressive and prosperous India.
Sanjay Ratan, MLA from Jawalamukhi, will grace the occasion as the Chief Guest, while Dr. Amarjeet Kumar Sharma, Director of Higher Education, Himachal Pradesh, will attend as the Guest of Honour.
He stated that students are the foundation of the present and future of the nation, and their upliftment requires collective efforts from both the government and society. He added that no task in life is impossible and that every student can achieve great heights through dedication and hard work.
Expressing anguish over the absence of a separate High Court, the Punjab Chief Minister said it was unfortunate that Punjab does not have its own High Court whereas small states in the North East have their own capitals. “In the absence of its own High Court, Punjabis have to suffer a lot due to the huge pendency of cases in the Punjab and Haryana High Court,” he said.
Congratulating the people of the State on the occasion, he recalled the immense contributions of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and the first Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Dr. Y.S. Parmar, in securing statehood for the State.
He said that Dr. Radhakrishnan believed teachers were not just subject experts but architects of character, and urged the college to function in accordance with his ideals. The Governor added that the launch of undergraduate courses would open new avenues for students of the region, enabling them to access higher education locally and move towards self-reliance.
He also motivated young minds to dream big, learn with dedication and excel in every field of life. On the occasion, he honoured meritorious students by distributing prizes and certificates, encouraging all students to achieve excellence in academics and co-curricular activities.