Himachal Pradesh Government

GOC-in-C, ARTRAC calls on Governor
General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of Army Training Command (ARTRAC), Lieutenant General Devendra Sharma called on Governor Kavinder Gupta at Lok Bhavan, today. It was a courtesy call.

During the interaction, the Governor appreciated the significant role of the Indian Army in safeguarding the nation's sovereignty and maintaining peace and security, particularly in challenging terrains and border areas. He lauded the professionalism, dedication and discipline of the Armed Forces in serving the nation under all circumstances.

Shri Gupta also acknowledged the contributions of the Army Training Command, headquartered in Shimla in strengthening the training capabilities and operational readiness of the Indian Army. He stressed the importance of continuous modernization, advanced training and technological adaptation in enhancing the effectiveness of the Armed Forces.

Lieutenant General Devendra Sharma briefed the Governor on various training initiatives and activities being undertaken by the ARTRAC to enhance the preparedness and efficiency of the Army personnel.

He also presented a Coffee Table Book to the Governor.

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Senior academicians call on Governor
Governor calls for stronger industry-academia linkages to enhance higher education quality

A delegation of eminent academicians today called on the Governor Kavinder Gupta at Lok Bhawan, Shimla and held a meaningful interaction on various aspects concerning higher education, academic excellence and institutional development in the region.

The delegation comprised distinguished educationists including Dr. Pardeep Singh Walia, Vice Chancellor, Maharaja Agrasen University, Dr. Ashwani Kumar Bhalla, Principal, Government College Gurdaspur, Punjab and Dr. Raj Kumar Singh from Himachal Pradesh University.

The academicians apprised the Governor of various academic initiatives underway in their respective institutions and sought his guidance on strengthening research ecosystems and improving educational outreach.

The Governor expressed keen interest in strengthening the quality of higher education in Himachal Pradesh and stressed the need for greater industry-academia collaboration, research orientation among students and holistic development of youth.

Shri Gupta underscored that universities must go beyond conventional curricula and become centres of innovation, skill development and nation-building. He asserted that there is an urgent need to equip students with industry-relevant skills, promote entrepreneurship and enhance employability through practical training, internships and vocational integration within academic frameworks. He emphasized his commitment to ensure academic excellence, institutional integrity and transparency in university governance.

The Governor assured them of his full support and expressed hope that such interactions would foster a culture of collaborative learning and shared vision for the future of higher education in the region.

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PWD Minister calls on Governor
Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh today paid a courtesy call to Governor Kavinder Gupta at Lok Bhavan, Shimla.

The Minister apprised the Governor of key developmental initiatives being undertaken by the PWD in the state with a focus on strengthening infrastructure and enhancing connectivity in remote and hilly areas.

The Governor stressed the importance of quality execution and timely completion of projects to ensure public convenience.

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Statehood Day of Rajasthan, Odisha and Bihar celebrated at Lok Bhavan
Celebrations reflect spirit of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’: Governor

Governor Kavinder Gupta today presided over the Statehood Day celebrations of Rajasthan, Odisha and Bihar organized at Lok Bhavan. The function was organized under the “Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat” initiative aimed at promoting cultural unity and emotional bonding among the states of India.

On the occasion the Governor, warmly addressed the gathering and presented traditional Himachali caps and shawls to the distinguished guests which symbolizes friendship and unity.

The event featured vibrant cultural exchanges showcasing the rich heritage of Rajasthan, Odisha and Bihar. The Government employees from these states shared their experiences of living and working in Himachal Pradesh which highlights the warmth, camaraderie and strong sense of belonging they have experienced in the state.

In his address, the Governor said that India’s strength lies in its unity in diversity. He said that initiatives like “Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat” play an important role in strengthening the cultural fabric of the nation by encouraging mutual understanding and respect among people of different states.

Sh. Gupta further said that Bihar, Rajasthan and Odisha were known for their ancient civilizations, rich history and vibrant cultural traditions. He said that understanding each other’s culture, language and traditions helps in strengthening national unity.

The Governor said that people from these states have made significant contributions to the development of Himachal Pradesh. Such cultural interactions promote harmony, mutual respect and a spirit of brotherhood, thereby strengthening the social fabric of the nation.

On the occasion, the Governor also announced that Lok Bhavan, Shimla will be opened to the general public on two days every week. This initiative aims to bring the Lok Bhavan closer to the people and ensure that citizens feel a sense of ownership and connection with the institution. He said that Lok Bhavan should not remain confined to official use but should reflect the aspirations and participation of the people it serves.

Secretary to the Governor Sandeep Bhardwaj was also present on the occasion.

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CM interacts with ‘Children of the State’ on exposure visit to Daman
Children express gratitude to CM for transforming their lives with new opportunities, support and care

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today interacted virtually from Shimla with 35 ‘Children of the State’ from Chamba district, who are currently on an exposure visit to Daman and Diu. The Chief Minister enquired about their experiences and asked what they had learned from the tour. He also enquired about the facilities being provided to them during the visit.

The children expressed their gratitude to the Chief Minister, saying that it was because of him that they got the opportunity to travel. They said, “Thank you, CM Sir. We travelled to Daman by air and are really enjoying exploring the place. It feels good that a government has thought about us”.

The Chief Minister said that the Mukhyamantri Sukh Ashray Yojana has been started for orphaned children, as they have an equal right over the resources of the state. He said that under this scheme, the state government bears the cost of their education and coaching and also provides financial assistance for their marriage and helps them become self-reliant.

These children belong to Child Care Institutions of Saho, Pangi, Chamba and Chilli (Tissa) in Chamba district and include 24 girls and 11 boys. Their tour commenced on 31^st March and will continue till 7^th April. Their first halt was in Delhi, where their stay was arranged at Himachal Bhawan. Thereafter, they travelled by air to Surat and then proceeded to Daman.

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CM inaugurates Nuclear Medicine Block at IGMC
Enables patients to access PET scan service within state

Announces Rs. Eight crore for SPECT-CT scan machine

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today inaugurated the Nuclear Medicine Block at Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla. He said that the facility would enable patients to access advanced Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan services within the state in the government sector and would reduce the need to travel outside for such diagnostics. He added that this is the first facility of its kind in the public healthcare system of the state, marking a significant step towards strengthening specialized medical services in the state.

He said that the PET scan facility enables early detection of diseases at the metabolic and molecular levels. Unlike conventional imaging modalities such as CT and MRI, which identify structural changes at later stages, PET technology detects physiological alterations at a much earlier stage. The facility would play a vital role in the staging and restaging of cancers, evaluation of treatment response, detection of recurrence and prognostication. He said that it is widely used in the diagnosis and management of various malignancies, including brain tumors, head and neck cancers, thyroid carcinoma, lung carcinoma, pleural malignancies, thymic tumors, esophagogastric carcinoma, gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), breast carcinoma, colorectal carcinoma, as well as urological and testicular malignancies. With advancements in tracers and techniques, its role in oncology continues to expand. In addition to oncology, PET scans are increasingly being utilized in cardiology and neurology, as well as in the assessment of infections and inflammatory diseases, particularly in cases where conventional imaging proves inconclusive.

Chief Minister said “The present state government remains committed to introducing high end technologies in the health sector. Recently, I have inaugurated a new 3 Tesla MRI machine at this premier health institution. In the coming times, we will invest over Rs 3,000 crore to upgrade technology across all medical colleges and other health institutions in the state, with the aim of providing affordable, world-class healthcare services at the doorstep of the people.”

He also announced Rs. eight crore for establishing SPECT-CT scan machine at IGMC Shimla.

Health Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil, MLAs Harish Janartha and Sanjay Awasthy, Secretary Health M Sudha Devi and other senior officers of the Health department were also present on the occasion.

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