Sukhu pledges to make Himachal Pradesh ‘green energy state’ on his 59th birthday

shimla: Cutting a 59-kg cake at his official residence — ‘Oak Over’, joining the ‘green energy’ run from the state secretariat and a blood donation camp at the Ridge and paying obeisance at popular ‘Taradevi’ temple, besides his quiet visit to Balika Ashram, marked the day on his 59th birthday, first as the chief minister.

Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu was visited and greeted by hundreds of well-wishers from all over the state even as his cabinet ministers, MLAs, party leaders and youth workers apart from children of different schools reached out to him to extend their wishes.

His wife Kamlesh Thakur was with him as the birthday turned out to be a mega event in the town as only a few days back he had completed 100 days as the chief minister.

“I am really overwhelmed by the gesture of the people who still consider me as one of them – a commoner rising to the high position as chief minister to serve them and develop Himachal Pradesh as green energy state of India,” an emotionally charged Sukhu was heard telling the crowd on his birthday.

State’s Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri and Advocate General Anoop Rattan were among those who greeted the chief minister and wished him good health on his birthday.

The chief minister, joined by industries minister Harshvardan Chauhan, Chairman HP Tourism Board R S Bali, a first-time MLA, drove to Balika Ashram (Tutikandi) and shared his birthday cake besides distributing sweets.

This is the same girls’ shelter home where Sukhu had reached first after taking oath as chief minister and later announced a Rs 101 crore fund — ‘Sukhashray’ — to bring a major transformation in the lives of nearly 6,000 orhphan children.

“The state government has launched the Mukhya Mantri Sukh Ashray Yojana for 6,000 orphans. A scheme focusing on special children was also being formulated, which will be announced shortly. The scheme will enhance the capabilities of specially-abled children and help them build their aspirations and livelihoods,” the chief minister said.

At the state secretariat, the chief minister honoured the Kabaddi team of HP Secretariat Services Sports Control Board, who bagged first position in All India Civil Services Kabaddi Championship held at Dehradun. The chief minister also announced Rs 1 lakh to the winning team.

Sukhu declared that his foremost resolve is to develop Himachal Pradesh as green energy state through solar energy initiatives, switch over to green hydrogen economy and ensure ‘Vyvastha Parivartan’ (systemic change) in governance.

His goal is to bring the state’s economy back on the rails in next four years.