Youth’s Future is State’s Future, Says CM Sukhu on International Youth Day; Launches HIV Awareness Campaign & Car-Bin Drive.
Shimla:
On the occasion of International Youth Day, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu reaffirmed the State Government’s commitment to youth empowerment, drug-free development, and environmental sustainability. Addressing a gathering of students, public representatives, and officials, the CM declared that “the future of Himachal Pradesh is directly linked to the well-being and active participation of its youth.”
Presiding over the state-level Youth Day celebrations, the Chief Minister made a passionate appeal to young people to stay away from drugs and actively support efforts to root out the drug menace from society. He urged youth to report drug traffickers and emphasized that the State Government had adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards drug mafias, including confiscation of their properties.
“Today’s youth are the architects of tomorrow. The reforms we implement today are designed to ensure that, five years from now, they can proudly say they belong to the most prosperous State in India,” he said.
Employment, Education & Tourism: A Vision for Youth Empowerment
Highlighting the range of reforms and policies targeted at youth welfare, CM Sukhu outlined a multi-pronged development strategy:
- The Government is creating employment and self-employment opportunities by encouraging start-ups and investing heavily in the tourism sector, with plans to invest Rs.3,000 crore in the coming years.
- To facilitate rural tourism, the State is offering loans at just 4% interest for home-stay development. Currently, 8,000 home-stays are operational, and tourism activities have been initiated along the China border.
- In the field of education, Himachal Pradesh has moved up from the 21st to 5th rank nationally. The Government will open 10 Rajiv Gandhi Day Boarding Schools from the next academic session, equipped with swimming pools, nutritious meals, and quality education from pre-nursery to Class 12.
- Recruitment for 600 Junior Basic Teachers (JBT) is underway to support this educational infrastructure.
Social Reforms & Financial Support
The Chief Minister spoke about various social initiatives, including:
- The declaration of 6,000 orphaned children as “Children of the State” under the State Government’s care.
- Financial support for higher education through the Dr. YS Parmar Vidyarthi Rin Yojana, which provides education loans up to Rs. 20 lakh at just 1% interest.
Natural Farming & Rural Development
CM Sukhu also addressed the importance of reviving the rural economy through natural farming, citing that 90% of Himachal’s population lives in villages, but traditional farming is no longer the main livelihood. The Government is offering Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for crops like wheat, maize, barley, and raw turmeric, and processed natural products will be made available at fair price shops.
“Even the Governor of Gujarat, Acharya Devvrat, appreciated Himachal’s efforts in promoting natural farming,” he remarked.
HIV Awareness Campaign & Car-Bin Drive Launched
As part of the Youth Day programme, CM Sukhu launched a massive HIV awareness campaign that will run from August 12 to October 12, 2025, covering 6,000 villages and over 1,500 educational institutions across the State.
He also inaugurated the second phase of the Car-Bin distribution drive, distributing bins to 50 taxi drivers in Shimla. A total of 6,000 car-bins will be distributed in this phase, building on the 4,000 bins distributed earlier to promote clean transportation and responsible waste management.
The CM administered an oath against drug abuse and HIV during the ceremony.
Earlier in the day, he flagged off a ‘Red Run’ and a ‘Bicycle Run’ from his official residence, symbolizing youth energy and commitment to social causes.
Health Minister Raises Alarm on HIV Among Youth
Speaking on the occasion, Health Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil expressed concern over the growing number of HIV cases in the State—6,408 in total, including 1,453 among youth aged 15–30 years. He underscored the importance of awareness, early testing, and access to treatment.
Rajiv Kumar, Project Director of the HP State AIDS Control Society, welcomed the Chief Minister and shared insights on ongoing health initiatives. The event also featured cultural performances aimed at raising awareness about drug abuse and HIV prevention.
Dignitaries Present
The event witnessed participation from several dignitaries including:
- Bhawani Singh Pathania, Vice Chairman, State Planning Board
- MLAs: Harish Janartha, Suresh Kumar, Neeraj Nayar, Vivek Sharma, Ranjit Singh Rana, Ajay Solanki, Anuradha Rana
- Mayor of Shimla: Surender Chauhan
- Deputy Mayor: Uma Kaushal
- OSD to CM: Gopal Sharma
- Senior Congress leader Surender Mankotia
- Deputy Commissioner Shimla: Anupam Kashyap
The event concluded with a strong message of hope, responsibility, and commitment toward building a healthier, empowered, and prosperous Himachal Pradesh driven by its youth.
