H I M A C H A L   P R A D E S H

Karzai reveals passion for Queen 
of Hills
Shimla, March 7
The one-day visit of Mr Hamid Karzai, President of Transitional Islamic state of Afghanistan, revived the memories of the days he spent in the Queen of Hills as a student.

Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai receives the honorary degree of Doctor of Literature from Dr Suraj Bhan, the Chancellor of the Himachal Pradesh University, in Shimla on Friday.

Decisions on education to be reviewed
Shimla, March 7
The Virbhadra Singh government will review all decisions of the outgoing Dhumal regime regarding the opening of colleges, schools and other educational institutions on the eve of the Assembly elections in violation of the norms.

HP House session from March 10

Irrigation projects to get ‘top priority’
Kulu, March 7
Top priority will be given to the irrigation projects lying pending or out of order for the past many years in the district. Horticulture and tourism are the other sectors which will be streamlined.

Foundation day celebrated
Dharamsala, March 7
Dharamsala station of Akashvani celebrated its 10th foundation day yesterday. Artistes presented classical and folk songs and dances. 

T.C. Janartha

Karzai reveals passion for Queen of Hills
Tribune News Service

Shimla, March 7
The one-day visit of Mr Hamid Karzai, President of Transitional Islamic state of Afghanistan, revived the memories of the days he spent in the Queen of Hills as a student.

The nostalgic speech he made after receiving the honorary degree of Doctor of Literature from Dr Suraj Bhan, the Chancellor of the Himachal Pradesh University, made it evident that he vividly remembers every moment of the six years he spent in the hill station pursuing postgraduate degree in political science.

“I know Shimla more than anyone of you. I am familiar with every street every building and had explored its every nook and corner”, he said.

He narrated several interesting anecdotes during his brief address. Even the moment he arrived in the city was still fresh in his mind. “It was drizzling when I landed at the local railway station alongwith my cousin we walked through the road passing through a thick forest. The landscape fascinated me so much that I decided to join the local S.D.B. degree college to pursue his gradation.”

He also talked about the brief period he spent at the guest house of the AIIMS in Summer Hill and even knew that the building was originally belonged to Rajkumari Amrit Kaur.

He said it was in Shimla that he got into habit of walking. His long walks, initially from the guest house to the college, continued even after he shifted the YMCA in the heart of the city.

He said he owed his present position and stature to the education and values of life he received during his stay in Shimla. Those were the formative years and all his learning here gave him the strength to wage the struggle for the freedom of his country.

Later, taking to the mediapersons he said the Afghanistan Government would not allow the Al-Qaida to re-group in the country.

He said the government was engaged in the reconstruction of the country devastated by the prolonged strife. In the first year top priority was given to the construction of roads. This year the focus was on providing irrigation facilities.

Mr Virbhadra Singh, the Chief Minister, Ms Asha Kumari, the Education Minister, senior faculty members of the university and officers were present at the convocation.

According to a PTI report Karzai arrived here by an IAF helicopter and was received at the Annandale Helipad by the Governor, Dr Suraj Bhan, the Chief Minister, V.B. Singh, Cabinet Ministers Vidya Stokes, Kaul Singh and Kuldeep Kumar and Chief Secretary Rajinder Bhattacharya.

He straight away drove to Cecil Hotel where he would stay for the night. Karzai would leave for Delhi tomorrow morning.

Decisions on education to be reviewed
Tribune News Service

Shimla, March 7
The Virbhadra Singh government will review all decisions of the outgoing Dhumal regime regarding the opening of colleges, schools and other educational institutions on the eve of the Assembly elections in violation of the norms.

Stating this after taking over as the Education Minister, Mrs Asha Kumari, said the Dhumal government announced the opening up of as many as 10 new degree colleges and scores of schools which were not included in the Budget. Worse, no provision of land, staff and funds was made for these institutions.

She expressed concern over the downslide in the credibility of Himachal Pradesh University due to saffronisation and scandals like the question paper scam.

HP House session from March 10

Shimla, March 7
A two-day session of the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha will be held here from March 10. The newly elected members of the Assembly will take oath on Monday which will be followed by election of the Speaker the next day. Governor Suraj Bhan will address the Assembly on March 11. UNI

Irrigation projects to get ‘top priority’
Our Correspondent

Kulu, March 7
Top priority will be given to the irrigation projects lying pending or out of order for the past many years in the district. Horticulture and tourism are the other sectors which will be streamlined.

This was stated by Mr Raj Krishan Gaur, Cabinet minister, while addressing his maiden press conference here today.

Answering a question about the existing financial constraints, Mr Gaur said a firm economic policy would be framed in a couple of weeks before the Budget session. He said the government would fulfil all promises made before the elections. He thanked the people of his constituency for conferring success on him.

Foundation day celebrated

Dharamsala, March 7
Dharamsala station of Akashvani celebrated its 10th foundation day yesterday. Artistes presented classical and folk songs and dances. Chief Guest Dr Ashok Jairath, Station Director, Simla and Dharamsala stations of Akashvani, said that AIR started broadcast before Independence to meet expectations of rural areas. He said Akashvani had been giving news and providing entertainment to people through music, drama and discussions.

Mr Albert Ernest, Mr D.D. Bainswal and Dr Om Awasthi, recalled their association with AIR. OC

T.C. Janartha

Shimla, March 7
Mr T.C. Janartha, Managing Director of the state Electronics Development Corporation, has been posted as Additional Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister and Director Vigilance-cum-Special Secretary (Home and Vigilance). Mr Balram Sharma, Director Vigilance and Special Secretary (Home and Vigilance), has been transferred and posted as Chief Executive of the HIMURJA. TNS