SHIMLA-4 November, 2026-Governor Kavinder Gupta today called for collective efforts to build a society where every girl gets equal opportunities, every woman lives with dignity and security, and every youth becomes self-reliant and contributes meaningfully to nation-building.

The Governor was addressing the Indian Excellence Awards-2026, organized by the Ladli Foundation, Himachal Pradesh, at Bilaspur.

He congratulated the Foundation for organizing the event and extended his best wishes to all the individuals and institutions being honoured for their outstanding contributions to society and the nation. He said that the real progress of a society is measured not merely by economic growth but also by the respect and security accorded to women, the opportunities available to daughters, the awareness and self-reliance of its youth, and the sensitivity shown towards weaker and disadvantaged sections. He said that the work being undertaken by the Ladli Foundation in these areas reflected a broader commitment to social welfare.

Referring to the place of women in Indian culture, the Governor said that women have traditionally been regarded as the embodiment of strength, creativity and values. He observed that Indian women were making remarkable contributions in education, science, sports, administration, defence, entrepreneurship and politics. However, it was essential to ensure that every girl had access to education, safety, equal opportunities and the means to become self-reliant.

The Governor said that Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, initiated under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was not merely a government campaign but a movement for social awareness. He stressed the need to collectively oppose social evils such as female foeticide, gender discrimination, child marriage and violence against women.

Expressing concern over the growing menace of drug abuse, the Governor described Himachal Pradesh's youth as its greatest asset and said that substance abuse posed a serious challenge to young people, families and society. He emphasized that the fight against drugs was not the responsibility of the government or police alone but a collective responsibility of every citizen. He said that young people must be encouraged not only to stay away from drugs but also to pursue positive goals through sports, education, skill development, tourism, agriculture, horticulture, self-employment and entrepreneurship. He urged social organizations to turn anti-drug initiatives into wider campaigns of public awareness and participation.

Highlighting the importance of environmental conservation, the Governor said that Himachal Pradesh's natural beauty, forests, rivers, lakes and water resources were invaluable assets that must be protected for future generations. He stressed that environmental protection should go beyond plantation drives and include water conservation, reduced use of plastic, cleanliness and responsible utilization of natural resources as part of everyday life.

The Governor also called for sustained efforts to eliminate social evils such as dowry, child marriage, domestic violence, superstition and social discrimination. He said that along with legal measures, social awareness was essential to bring lasting change, which must begin within families and through individual conduct.

Appreciating the Ladli Foundation for its work in women empowerment, protection of girls' rights, social awareness, drug de-addiction and environmental conservation, the Governor said that social organizations serve as an important bridge between the government and citizens. Their initiatives generate awareness and accelerate positive social transformation. He congratulated all the award recipients and expressed hope that the recognition would inspire them to continue their work with greater dedication.

On the occasion, the Governor presented the Indian Excellence Awards to eminent achievers for their outstanding contributions in various fields. The awardees included Additional Chief Secretary Onkar Sharma, Deputy Commissioner, Bilaspur, Kiran Bhadana, IAS Officer Rajiv Sharma and Superintendent of Police, Bilaspur, Abhishek Dhiman, among others.

Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani congratulated the award recipients and described them as ‘super achievers’, saying that such individuals not only transform their own lives but also positively influence the lives of others. He said that future generations draw inspiration from their dedication and achievements. Referring to Deputy Commissioner, Bilaspur, Kiran Bhadana, he highlighted her exemplary work during her tenure as Deputy Commissioner of Lahaul-Spiti.

Shri Dharmani said that tourism activities in the district were being expanded and that the 12-kilometre stretch between Bilaspur and Mandi would be developed from the tourism perspective. He said road connectivity was being improved and Bilaspur would soon emerge as an important centre of the State. He also referred to the progress of four-laning towards Shimla and said that rail connectivity was expected to become available in the area within a year, bringing significant changes in its development prospects.

The Minister further said that the state government's efforts would enable the Wildflower Hall Hotel to generate revenue of around Rs. 3 crore per month for the state. He said that Himachal Pradesh had also started benefiting from the hydropower sector, with improved returns from electricity supplied to Kerala and enhanced royalty from projects. He urged the Governor to take up the matter of securing permanent membership for Himachal Pradesh in the Bhakra Beas Management Board.

Earlier, Patron of the Ladli Foundation Ishan Akhtar, welcomed the Governor. State President of the Foundation, Shalu Akhtar and other distinguished guests were also present on the occasion.