UNA, Feb, 7: Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal lauded the efforts of Himotkarsh Sahitya Sanskriti Abam Jan-Kalyan Parishad, Una for helping suffering humanity and in the promotion of literature and culture in the state. He gave a clarion call to other voluntary and non-governmental organisations to come forward and contribute their best in this respect too. The CM was presiding over the 24Th annual session of the Parishad at Una today.Dhumal said the state government had accorded priority to social services and efforts of NGOs like Himotkarsh would go a long way in supplementing these efforts thereby ensuring social justice to the people of the state.The CM said that government had decided to make the state leprosy and cataract-free and called for the cooperation of the people and voluntary bodies in this respect.Dhumal said land for rehabilitation of leprosy patients would be made available. He also urged people to instill confidence among them so that they live a respectable life and added that leprosy was fully curable.Dhumal said primary education was being given utmost priority and the government would ensure that reservation for the handicapped was implemented in letter and spirit.The Chief Minister announced upgrading of D.R. Garg Memorial Government Ayurvedic Dispensary to a 10-bed hospital at Ishpur. Mohan Lal, Minister of State for Ayurveda lauded the role of Himotkarsh in serving the suffering humanity.Vijay Chopra, chief editor, Hind Samachar Group of newspapers who presided over the function, complimented the Himotkarsh Prishad for its good work in the field of literature and culture.Kanwar Hari Singh, Chairman of the parishad detailed the activities of the parishad while P.C. Katoch, chief patron of the Parishad said with its meagre resources it has been trying its best to help the needy in various fields including education.Ram Das Malanger also spoke on the occasion on behalf of Himotkarsh.Krishan Adeep was honoured for literature, Sita Gosal for sports, Jagdish Parsad, Head Constable for bravery and Kanwar Sandhu, Resident Editor, Indian Express, Chandigarh for best contribution to the field of journalism Ravinder Randev, vetern journalist was given the Himachali Shri Award. Onkar Chand Sharma, H.S. Atwal, Dev Raj Sharma, Ram Murti, Vasudev, Swami Harigiri Ashram Kakira, Mangat Ram Chauhan, Government High School Kuther Jaswala were also conferred Himachali Shri awards.The Chief Minister gave away gold medals to 48 outstanding and meritorious students who topped in universities and Himachal Pradesh School Education Board examinations during the last academic session. Merit scholarships amounting to Rs 1.25 lakh were given to 200 poor students.The parishad also distributed tricycles to 24 handicapped persons, prizes to 20 mentally retarded children, sewing machines to widows besides honoring various voluntary organisations doing good work in the field of social service.Earlier, the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone of a Rs 1.16 crore district ayurvedic Hospital here.He also laid the foundation stone of the District Consumer Forum building to be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 20.63 lakh.
