October 25, 2026 New Delhi
Hard Work, Honesty and Trust Define Himachalis Across India and the World: Anurag Singh Thakur
Former Union Minister and Hamirpur Member of Parliament Anurag Singh Thakur attended the concluding ceremony of the 55th Annual Celebration and Himachal Mela organised by the Himachal Kalyan Sabha, along with the 107th half-yearly conference of the All India Himachal Social Organisations Federation, Delhi, in New Delhi on Sunday. He addressed the gathering, extended his best wishes to Himachalis living outside the state and thanked the organising committee for successfully conducting the events.
Anurag Singh Thakur said that wherever Himachalis settle, they create a mini Himachal through their culture, traditions and community spirit. Himachalis living outside the state have upheld the honour of the Himachali cap through their hard work and honesty while contributing significantly to nation-building. Today, hard work, honesty and trust have become the defining qualities of Himachalis across India and the world.
He said that although Himachal Pradesh is a small state, its identity and contribution to the nation are immense. The state has given the country soldiers, sportspersons, teachers, scientists and administrative officers, while making valuable contributions to political, social and other fields.
He urged Himachalis living in Delhi and elsewhere to look beyond their individual careers and work towards strengthening Himachal’s identity and creating new opportunities for the state. He emphasised the importance of greater mutual cooperation among the diaspora and called upon them to promote local products, tourism and the state’s rich cultural heritage.
The Hamirpur MP said that the vision of a developed India cannot be fulfilled without a developed Himachal Pradesh. As India works towards becoming a developed nation by 2047, Himachal Pradesh must also advance towards becoming a developed state. This requires the development of villages, better opportunities for youth, empowerment of farmers and horticulturists, and greater employment and income opportunities for local communities through tourism.
Describing Himachal as the land of birth, values, traditions, identity and family for its people, he said that preserving the state’s heritage must go hand in hand with a clear roadmap for development. Himachalis living in any part of India or the world are contributing in their own ways to making the country prosperous and strong.
Highlighting the state’s geographical challenges, Anurag Singh Thakur said that Himachal Pradesh, being a mountainous state, requires development priorities and parameters different from those of other states. Development must be balanced with the protection of the environment and cultural heritage.
He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Union Government has emphasised the need for separate policy planning and development strategies for Himalayan states, keeping their unique geographical conditions in mind. Since 2014, efforts have been made to accelerate development and improve infrastructure and facilities in hilly states across sectors such as roads, healthcare, education and energy.
He added that the Union Government is carrying forward the vision of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for the development of Himachal Pradesh and other Himalayan states.
