<span style="color: #222222;">Himachal Pradesh celebrated its 53rd Statehood Day with full enthusiasm across the State today. It was on this day in 1971 Himachal Pradesh became the 18th State of India.<br />''<br />''Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu conveyed his greetings to the people of the State on the occasion of the 53rd Statehood Day celebration held at Hamirpur, today.  He unfurled the National Flag and took a salute from the contingents of Police, Home guards, Jawans of IRB Skoh, NCC cadets, Scouts & Guides led by DSP Ankit Sharma during an impressive march past.<br />''<br />''The Chief Minister while addressing the gathering said, the people of Himachal Pradesh have contributed immensely to the development journey of the State.<br />''<br />''He said, restoring the OPS was not a political decision, but the State government intends to protect the self-esteem of the government employees besides providing them with social security as they play a pivotal role in the development of the State.<br />''<br />''The Chief Minister said, the government has set a target to harness hydropower, hydrogen, and solar energy in order to preserve the State's environment and to make Himachal Pradesh the country's first green energy State by the year 2025. Apart from this, the impetus would be given to Agriculture and allied sectors.<br />''<br />''On this occasion, Chief Minister also honoured the wards of freedom fighters, army personnel and specially-abled during the function.</span><br />