Munish Sood
Mandi
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu celebrated his 62nd birthday with grand festivities at the official residence Oak Over in Shimla, drawing a large gathering of supporters from across the state. The celebrations were marked by the cutting of a 62-kg cake, accompanied by traditional music and cultural performances.
In a unique gesture, supporters showered flower petals on the Chief Minister using a drone, adding a celebratory spectacle to the occasion. Sukhu, joined by his wife Kamlesh Thakur and daughter, also participated in traditional ‘Nati’ dance along with Kullu MLA Sundar Singh Thakur, reflecting the cultural spirit of the region.
Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister took part in a marathon organized by the Secretariat Employees’ Union, promoting the message of fitness and healthy living. An awareness walk was also held as part of the celebrations, where Sukhu expressed gratitude to government employees for their continued support.
Addressing the gathering, Sukhu reaffirmed his government’s commitment to strengthening Himachal Pradesh’s economy. “The process of economic recovery has already begun, and the state’s financial condition will improve significantly within the next three to four months,” he said. He added that the recently presented budget is aimed at making Himachal self-reliant and ensuring benefits reach the common people.
The Chief Minister also appealed to employees for cooperation regarding deferred salaries, attributing the situation to the discontinuation of the Revenue Deficit Grant. He reiterated that his government is working towards fiscal discipline and long-term sustainability.
Highlighting reforms in the power sector, Sukhu criticized the previous BJP सरकार for indiscriminate subsidies, stating that benefits were extended even to large commercial establishments such as hotels. “We have rationalized the subsidy structure. Earlier, ₹2,500 crore was spent annually, which has now been reduced to ₹1,200 crore. Our aim is to bring it further down to ₹800–1,000 crore while making electricity more affordable for the people,” he said.
Reflecting on his personal journey, Sukhu said his life has been shaped by struggles and challenges adding that overcoming difficulties has been his greatest strength. He expressed gratitude to the people of the state for their continued support and blessings.
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition and former Chief Minister Jairam Thakur extended birthday greetings, wishing Sukhu good health and a long life, and invoking the blessings of Lord Ram.
The celebrations at Oak Over not only highlighted Sukhu’s political journey from student leadership to the top leader of state , but also served as a platform for the Chief Minister to reiterate his vision of a financially strong and self-reliant Himachal Pradesh.
