Himachal braves chill to celebrate Republic Day

Braving sub-zero temperature at most places, people across Himachal Pradesh on Saturday celebrated Republic Day with patriotic fervour. Governor Urmila Singh unfurled the national flag at the state-level function at The Ridge here, where chief minister Virbhadra Singh, his cabinet colleagues and senior officials were also present.

Braving sub-zero temperature at most places, people across Himachal Pradesh on Saturday celebrated Republic Day with patriotic fervour. Governor Urmila Singh unfurled the national flag at the state-level function at The Ridge here, where chief minister Virbhadra Singh, his cabinet colleagues and senior officials were also present.

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The governor took salute at a parade by contingents of police, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, homeguards, the army, NCC and ex-servicemen. In the snow-bound Keylong town, headquarters of Lahaul and Spiti, deputy commissioner SS Guleria presided over the official function.

The minimum temperature of the town was -15.1°C. Chief parliamentary secretary Neeraj Bharti presided over the function at Rekong Peo in Kinnaur district where the night temperature was -8.8°C.

In both Keylong and Rekong Peo towns, snowfall has snapped major road links. Despite the chill, people in both towns took part in flag-hoisting ceremonies. Cultural programmes were staged by schoolchildren. Opposition leader Prem Kumar Dhumal was conspicuously absent at the function here.