In full swing for Himachal DayMuch thought and ideas have gone into planning this years Himachal Day celebrations on April 15. The state government has planned to hold a grand state-level function in Rohru,a seat wrested by the BJP from Congress during the Assembly byelections last year. The seat was earlier held by Union Minister for Steel Virbhadra Singh for over three decades. Another outstanding feature in this years celebration is that for the first time a minister would preside over the celebrations in Delhi - at Resident Commissioners office,Himachal Bhawan. Irrigation and Public Health Minister Ravinder Ravi will hoist the Tricolour in Delhi on April 15. Playing to the gallery Earlier this week,when the Tenancy and Land Reform (Amendment) Bill came up for discussion in the Assembly,the Congress asked to postpone the discussion claiming that it had not gone through the Bill and also sought to refer the Bill to the Select Committee for review. Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal took strong notice of the Oppositions free will of coming to the Assembly unprepared without homework. It seems that the Opposition is more interested in playing to the gallery,instead of coming prepared in the Assembly, the CM retorted. He left them with a sound advice,but it did not work as immediately when the budget for HP State Electricity Board came up for discussion the Congress again sought postponement,saying they would be busy in a protest rally. Birthday laddooAs Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal turned 66 on Saturday,Horticulture Minister Narender Bragta almost stole the show by throwing up a grand celebration in Shimla. The highlight of the event was a 67-kg laddoo of dry fruits that was cut by the CM and priests. In fact,priests of 70 temples from Bragtas constituency Jubbal-Kotkhai blessed Dhumal with holy bands. Bragta also managed to rope in the high-ups pf the state for his function to wish the CM,including retired judge of Supreme Court Lokeshwar Panta - who also belongs to Jubbal-Kotkhai.
