Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla unfurled the National Flag on the occasion of 76th Republic Day during state level celebration at the historic Ridge, Shimla, today and took salute from an impressive march past led by Parade Commander Lt. Gagandeep Chauhan from 22, Jammu & Kashmir Rifles. Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu was also present on the occasion.
The contingents of the Army, Indo-Tibet Border Police, Himachal Pradesh Armed Police, Punjab Police, State Police, Home Guards, Fire Services, Himachal Pradesh Postal Services, Disaster Management, ex-servicemen, National Cadet Corps, National Service Scheme Cadets and Bharat Scouts and Guides etc. performed the march past.
Tableaux showcasing various development activities of different departments were the main attraction. The culture troupes from Kinnaur, Hamirpur, Shimla and Mandi gave cultural performances. The troupes of North Zone Cultural Center Patiala - Rajasthan and Uttarakhand also performed on the occasion.
Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh, Deputy Chief Whip Kewal Singh Pathania, MLA Harish Janartha, Chief Minister's Principal Advisor (Media) Naresh Chauhan, Chief Minister's Political Advisor Sunil Sharma, Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, Director General of Police Dr. Atul Verma, Principal Secretary Devesh Kumar, MC Shimla Mayor Surinder Chauhan and Deputy Mayor Uma Kaushal, other senior civil, police and military officers and people from across the state were also present on the occasion.