Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur has underscored the need to adopting technological advancements in executing developmental works so as to maintain balance between the nature and development along-with ensuring quality. He said though development is our requirement, but it cannot be at the cost of environment and we will have to contemplate on reducing the threats of natural disasters and saving precious ecology.
The Chief Minister expressed these views while presiding over the concluding session of the seminar on “Saving Himachal from Natural Disasters” organised by the Divya Himachal newspaper group on the occasion of Engineer’s Day, here on Sunday evening.
He said that being a Himalayan region state, Himachal Pradesh is vulnerable for natural disasters which necessitates for taking effective steps to face the challenges of environment degradation. The state suffers huge losses to life and property every year both during monsoon and winter season due to heavy rains, landslides, flash floods and heavy snow and also in summers because of drought-like conditions, for which we will have to adopt advanced technologies to minimize the risk of natural catastrophe and boosting environmental conservation, he said.
Jai Ram Thakur stressed that the engineers should explore possibilities for taking advantage of modern technologies to check damages to the roads and other infrastructures in the state every year during monsoon. He added that they should also focus on safe and proper designing of buildings specifically in the rural areas where people are not much aware about the threats of earthquakes and other calamities.
Extending his good wishes to the engineers on the Engineers Day, he said that they have been paying a crucial role in technological and industrial progress. He urged them to extend full cooperation to the efforts of the state government for ensuring speedy development of the state.
The Chief Minister appreciated the efforts of the Divya Himachal group for organising rallies across the state for generating mass awareness about cleanliness drive, natural disaster management and undertaking various social activities. He said that the media today is playing constructive role in highlighting the initiatives of the governments for welfare of the people and also giving feedback on negative aspects.
He released a coffee table book brought out by the newspaper on this occasion.
The Chief Minster presented the engineering excellence awards to the engineers of various departments of the state government on behalf of the Divya Himachal Group. He also honoured various personalities for their outstanding contributions in administrative services, education, health, agriculture, social service and industries.
Editor-in-Chief of Divya Himachal Group Anil Soni said that today every Himachali feels proud over the achievements of the state over the years which had been possible due to honest efforts of different sections of the society. He appreciated the efforts of the state government for ensuring speedy and all-round development of the state in various sectors, especially envisaging global investors meet that would help in attracting investment over 85 thousands to the state besides providing ample employment opportunities to the youth.
Education Minister Suresh Bhardwaj, Urban Development Minister Sarveen Chaudhary, Health Minister Vipin Singh Parmar, Forest Minister Govind Singh Thakur, former Speaker, HP Vidhan Sabha Brij Bihari Lal Butail and Chief Secretary Dr. Shrikant Baldi were also present on this occasion.
