On this occasion, Union Health Minister Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda and other dignitaries planted native Himalayan saplings under the Green ICMR Campus Initiative. Shri Nadda inaugurated a scientific exhibition for school students, launched the Centre’s website and institutional video, and released a commemorative postal special cover, marking key milestones in the establishment of the ICMR Centre for High Altitude Medicine and Public Health Research at Keylong.

Nadda stressed the need for effective utilisation of Central funds, timely administrative decisions, regular monitoring and stronger coordination between the Centre and the State Government. He underlined that road and rail connectivity, modern healthcare facilities and industrial infrastructure were essential for improving access to services, promoting tourism and generating employment.

The President said that for the common people, bearing the cost of medical treatment for a serious illness imposes a heavy financial burden. To alleviate this hardship faced by vulnerable sections of society, the Government of India provides health insurance cover of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year under the ‘Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana’.

On October 6, the President will grace the first convocation of AIIMS Bilaspur in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh. On October 7, the President will visit Atal Tunnel, Rohtang, Lahaul – Spiti district.

Dr. Sood said the employees demonstrated the true spirit of “Swift in Sports, Devoted in Duty” throughout the competition. He appreciated the enthusiasm, discipline and sporting spirit displayed by the participants.

The Governor appreciated that the initiative has generated around 692 direct employment opportunities, with nearly 90 percent of them going to women, while around 60 percent received their first employment opportunity through the programme. He said the provision of free education, books, stationery, bags, laptops and other essential resources had helped reduce the educational expenses of thousands of families. According to the available figures, more than 12,000 families have collectively saved over Rs. 5.40 crore.

The Chief Minister said that the Senior Secondary School at Kangu has been designated as a Rajiv Gandhi Day Boarding School. A new school building will be constructed and students will be provided with modern educational facilities. Construction of the primary school building will also begin soon.

Taking on the Congress Government over its move to revive the lottery system, Dr. Bindal said the State Government could not put the social and economic well-being of Himachali families at risk merely to generate additional revenue.

He said that Himachal Pradesh was known as 'Dev Bhoomi' and that its society has traditionally had a strong religious orientation. If young people today are choosing drug use instead of following their traditional spiritual and religious practices, it also raises questions about the values and upbringing being imparted to them by families and society.

Dr. Sanjay Sood stated that this year the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department has set a target of planting 50 lakh saplings on 7,000 to 8,000 hectares of land in the state, out of which saplings will be planted on about 4,000 hectares under the Rajiv Gandhi Van Samvardhan Yojana.