Two Years in Office: Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla Introduces Coffee Table Book
Shimla, February 19 – Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla launched a coffee table book at the Raj Bhawan on his completion of two years in office, who deliberated upon his tenure as also the work done in office. In the inaugural event, Shukla talked about his experiences, style of governance, and challenges he faced including drug abuse in the state. He said that his time in office was guided by the constitutional obligations and dignity of the office he occupies.
Drug Abuse : An Agenda for Action
During the address, Governor Shukla highlighted the issue of drug abuse in Himachal Pradesh, which is has remained a major concern in his tenure. He mentioned that one of the topline instructions from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to him after assuming charge was to combat the rising drug menace in the state. Shukla has since been leading a statewide campaign against drug abuse in collaboration with Panchayati Raj institutions and educational institutions to create awareness and take action.
The Governor reiterated that there was a need to turn this campaign into a movement to make it effective, and that political agendas could not contaminate it. To save the Himachal Pradesh, everyone must join hands under the Himachal Bachao, Nasha Bhagao Abhiyan (Save Himachal, Eradicate Drug Addiction Campaign) crossing political lines, he emphasised. “The people of Himachal should take this campaign as a collective responsibility to wipe out drug abuse and get back the identity of the state,” he said.
Convert Himachal into a ‘Home’ for the Governor
Shukla also went on to share how he has started considering the state as his second home. He talked about the Son of the Hill, about the kind of drugs that infested Himachal Pradesh, which made the state lose its identity as Dev Bhoomi (Land of Gods). Call for action against Communism Shukla further claimed that only way out of it comes with collective effort and non-political collaboration of everyone in order for the state to walk in a better way against these social evils and regain its sanctity.
“As Governor, I have always acted only to carry out my constitutional responsibilities to the people of Himachal Pradesh, while respecting the dignity and status of my office. He also addressed his continued efforts to mobilize all sectors of society to do their part in the anti-drug campaign.
Centre on Materialisation of Cooperation
Governor Shukla, when asked about the central government’s role in specially helping Himachal Pradesh, mentioned the need to seek cooperation from the Centre on major issues confronting the state. He pointed out that 80 percent of the state’s budget comes from the central government, and the state must mobilize the other 20 percent. In his message, Shukla said the state government must continue to raise its views and requirements before the Centre and get Himachal what was needed for the state to prosper and grow.
On the state’s losses during natural disasters, the Governor said that while the estimates made by the state and central government teams did not match, that should be rectified. Referring to the issue in the state, he said there should be continued dialogue between the state and the Centre and that the state government should make its concerns clear if they wanted the state’s needs to be met.
A Vision for the Future
In his concluding remarks about the event, Gov. Shukla relayed his promise to fulfill his constitutional responsibilities and better the state of Himachal Pradesh. He was hopeful that with the cooperation of the government, local institutions and the people of the state, Himachal would confront its challenges and emerge stronger. The Governor’s legacy, so far, includes his focus on social issues, particularly drug addiction, and his message about coming together across party lines to tackle them.
Himachal Pradesh Governor Shuklas coffee table book showcases his two years tenure in Himachal Pradesh in pictures and texts Governor Shukla releases Coffee Table book on Two years of His Tenure in Himachal Pradesh.
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