HIMACHAL PRADESH
After Independence of India, a Union Territory of Hill
states was created. It primarily constituted of hill states around Shimla.
On November 1, 1966 Punjab Hill areas were merged into Himachal as part of
reorganization of Punjab. Himachal Pradesh became a full fledged state of
the Republic of India on January 25, 1971.
Himachal Pradesh has been on the path of progress since Independence. The
literacy rate of the state is 63% now and is improving every decade. The
population has almost stabilized at about 5 million, thanks to high literacy
and effective family planning programs. Every village in the state has
electricity and drinking water now.
Many young men from Himachal serve the Indian Army and have played
significant role in the National defense. Dharamsala has a war memorial
dedicated to the memory of those who lost their lives for their country.
Himachal is literally a power house when it comes to hydro-electricity. The
state has many dams that harness the hilly rivers to generate electric
power. The electricity is used by farmers in Punjab, Haryana and by the
industries in the northern plains. |