SHIMLA -16 October, 2025

HPSPCB organizes awareness campaigns for celebrating 'Green Deepawali'

On the directions of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the H.P State Pollution Control Board (HPSPCB) organized mass awareness campaigns in the government schools across the State to spread a message of celebrating clean and green Diwali to reduce the air and noise pollution.

The Board organised the programmes in educational institutions of Bilaspur, Kangra, Shimla, Chamba, Una, Sirmaur, Solan and Hamirpur districts

The Central Laboratory of the HPSPCB, Parwanoo celebrated "Swachh Deepawali, Harit Deepawali" theme on Wednesday at Government Senior Secondary School, Patta Masulkhana and Parwanoo in alignment with the 'Harit Deepawali' initiative. The slogan writing and Rangoli competitions were organized followed by the mass awareness rally by students of the schools to create the awareness among general public about ill effects of bursting of crackers.

Similarly, the HPSPCB Regional Laboratory, Paonta Sahib also organized an awareness program on "Swachh Deepawali, Harit Deepawali" at PM SHRI Government Senior Secondary and Primary School, Bechar Ka Baag in Sirmaur district. The initiative aimed to inspire students and the community to celebrate a pollution-free and eco-friendly Deepawali. The creative competitions like poster making, slogan writing, and declamation ignited enthusiasm among students. Young participants showcased their talent and shared powerful messages through their artwork and speeches.

Dr. Hitender Kumar Sharma, Principal Scientific Officer, delivered a lecture on the ill effects of firecrackers and urged everyone to choose a greener way of celebrating Deepawali for a healthier environment. A student rally through the village further spread the message of sustainable celebrations. The winners were honoured with certificates and prizes for their commendable efforts. The event successfully planted the seeds of environmental responsibility in young minds. The celebration concluded with light refreshments and cheerful participation by all.

Another Diwali awareness programme was organised at Government Senior Secondary School, Ghaniara in Hamirpur district, where the students actively participated in a rally, raising slogans and spreading the message of a Clean and Green Diwali. A beautiful Rangoli depicting Himachal Pradesh was created and decorated with traditional earthen diyas by the students. Satvinder Kaur, Scientific Officer from the Regional Laboratory, Dari, while addressing the gathering encouraged everyone to celebrate an eco-friendly Diwali.

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Robotic surgery to be introduced in IGMC Shimla: CM

IGMC, Shimla would soon have the facility of robotic surgery after Super specialty hospital Chamiyana (Shimla) and Tanda medical college.

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu disclosed this while chairing a meeting of health department here on Wednesday evening. He said that 40 beds would be allotted in IGMC, Shimla for robotic surgery for patients of the Kamla Nehru Hospital (KNH), Shimla.

He said that the state government was providing the state-of-the-art machinery to the hospital to provide best medical care for the people of the State. He directed to start robotic surgery for gyne patients and added that the gynecologists of KNH would also perform elective surgery in IGMC and the KNH administration would deploy a team for these surgeries at IGMC so that female patients could easily get treatment facilities at both the hospitals.

The Chief Minister said that there would be three month trial for robotic and elective surgery at IGMC and further changes, if required, would be made accordingly.

Sh. Sukhu said that a diagnostic laboratory was being set up at IGMC for which Rs. 25 crore had been released to the college administration. After the test starts, the gynecologists of KNH would also benefit a lot in treating female patients as they would be able to get accurate test reports.

Secretary, Health M. Sudha Devi, Director, Health Education Rakesh Sharma and the gynecologists form KHN attended the meeting.

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