Yog Raj Sharma
The North News
Shimla, December 20
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Himachal Pradesh will mark a three-day series of events later this month, recalling the contribution of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to the state’s development, the party’s state president Rajiv Bindal today.
Addressing reporters in Shimla, Dr Bindal said Mr Vajpayee’s birth anniversary on December 25 would be observed as Good Governance Day across the state. He described the former prime minister’s role in shaping Himachal Pradesh’s economic and infrastructure growth as “historic and unforgettable”.
Dr Bindal pointed to the industrial package announced by Vajpayee from Solan on December 1, 2002, which came into effect in 2003. He said the package, secured during the BJP government led by then chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, laid the foundation for large-scale industrialisation and employment generation in the hill state.
He also highlighted the impact of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, launched during Mr Vajpayee’s tenure, saying it had transformed connectivity in remote areas. According to Dr Bindal, Himachal Pradesh now has a road network of around 40,000 kilometres, with more than half built under the rural roads scheme. He added that the programme gained further momentum after 2014 under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Referring to strategic infrastructure, Dr Bindal said the conception of the Atal Tunnel at Rohtang was rooted in Vajpayee’s vision. He said although the project was delayed for years, it was completed under Modi, improving border security and providing year-round connectivity to the Lahaul-Spiti region, with significant benefits for tourism and development.
The BJP will also observe Veer Bal Diwas on December 26 to honour the sacrifice of the younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh — Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh. Dr Bindal said the day, declared by the central government, symbolised a blend of heritage and development, and would be marked by events across the state.
As part of the programme, the party will collectively listen to the prime minister’s Mann Ki Baat broadcast on 28 December. Dr Bindal said the three days — Good Governance Day, Veer Bal Diwas and Mann Ki Baat — were intended to reinforce values of service, governance, patriotism and development.
He said the BJP remained committed to taking Vajpayee’s ideas and ideals to the grassroots, expressing confidence that people across Himachal Pradesh would participate in the events with enthusiasm.
