*Governor interacts with Mahila Mandals of Thunag area in district Mandi*

*Governor interacts with Mahila Mandals of Thunag area in district Mandi*

While interacting with Mahila Mandals of Thunag area of Mandi district, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar called upon the Mahila Mandals of Seraj area to give their full cooperation in making Seraj a model assembly constituency. He said that the women of the area were fully aware and they should take advantage of the schemes of the government. He also called upon to cooperate in making the Prime Minister’s “Har Ghar Tiranga” campaign a success and make people aware about this as it was the spirit of the nation.

The Governor appreciated the initiative of the Chief Minister for adopting natural farming in the year 2018 in the State. He said that Himachal has shown the way to the country and today other states were following this farming system. He said that by adopting this practice, the life of the future generation would be secure. There was a need to move forward in this direction, he added.

Appreciating the cultural program organized on the occasion, he said that there was a need to preserve this culture. He said that this lifestyle and behavior was our identity.

Dr. Sadhna Thakur, member, Indian Red Cross Managing Committee and Chairperson, State Red Cross Hospital Welfare Section welcomed the Governor in Thunag area and said that people of the area were honoured that any Governor came for the first time in Thunag. She appealed the Mahila Mandals of the area to publicize all the welfare oriented schemes and programmes of the State and Center Government upto grass root level so that the people of the remote areas could get benefitted.

She said that women have important contributions in the development

of society and they should also play an important role in changing the mindset of the male dominating society. She also appealed to Mahila Mandals to join in plantation drive.

Dr. Rajeshwar Chandel, Vice-chancellor, Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan expressed concern over the excessive use of pesticides and fungicides by the farmers. He said that Himachal Government was the first State in the country who took an initiative of adopting Natural Farming and special budgetary provision had been made in this direction. He said that today 1.71 lakh farmers in the state were practicing natural farming and only in Mandi district more than 26000 farmers were doing this practice. He also thanked the Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur for starting college of forestry and horticulture at Thunag.

Deputy Commissioner Mandi Arindam Chaudhary honoured the Governor on the occasion. SDM Thunag Paras Aggarwal welcomed the Governor.

A colourful cultural programme was also performed by the local cultural troups on the occasion.Secretary to Governor Rajesh Sharma was also present on the occasion among others.