First in Himachal Pradesh | HPPSC HPAS Preparation - HPPSC HPAS (Himachal Pardesh) PDF Download

Introduction

Himachal Pradesh has a rich history of achievements, with many individuals, institutions, and events earning the distinction of being the "first" in their respective fields. From politics and governance to sports and education, the state has seen several pioneering milestones. Below is a detailed account of the notable firsts in Himachal Pradesh, elaborating on their importance and contributions to the state.

Political Firsts

• First Chief Commissioner – N.C. Mehta was the first Chief Commissioner, overseeing the administrative setup of Himachal Pradesh during its early formation.
• First Deputy Chief Commissioner – E.P. Moon played a key role as the first Deputy Chief Commissioner in shaping the state's early governance policies.
• First Lt. Governor – Major General Himmat Singh was responsible for heading the state's administrative framework as the first Lieutenant Governor.
• First Governor – S. Chakarvarti became the first Governor after Himachal Pradesh was granted full statehood, playing an instrumental role in its political stability.
• First Woman Governor – Sheela Kaul was the first woman to hold the office of Governor, marking a significant achievement for women in leadership roles.
• First Chief Minister – As the first Chief Minister, Dr. Y.S. Parmar is regarded as the architect of modern Himachal Pradesh and played a central role in shaping its policies and growth.

Judiciary and Legal Firsts

• First Chief Justice – Justice Mirza Hamidulah Beh was the first Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, setting the foundation for the state’s judicial system.

• First Woman Chief Justice – Leela Seth was the first woman to become Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, a landmark achievement for gender equality in the judiciary.

• First Lokayukta – Justice T.V.R. Tattachari was appointed the first Lokayukta to address corruption and grievances within the state administration.

• First Judicial Commissioner – Justice J.N. Banerjee served as the first Judicial Commissioner, playing a crucial role in establishing the state's legal framework.

Legislative Firsts

• First Speaker of Vidhan Sabha – Pt. Jaivant Ram was the first to preside over the legislative assembly, contributing to the development of democratic practices in the state.

• First Woman Speaker of Vidhan Sabha – Vidya Stokes broke barriers by becoming the first woman to hold the prestigious position of Speaker of the Vidhan Sabha.

• First Deputy Speaker of Vidhan Sabha – Krishna Chander served as the first Deputy Speaker, aiding in maintaining the legislative processes of the state.

Administrative and Institutional Firsts

• First Chief Secretary – K.L. Mehta was the first Chief Secretary, leading the state's bureaucracy and administration in its early years.

• First Chairman of H.P. Administrative Tribunal – Justice Hira Singh Thakur was responsible for handling administrative disputes as the first chairman of the H.P. Administrative Tribunal.

• First Vice-Chancellor of H.P. University – Dr. Ram Karan Singh laid the academic foundation as the first Vice-Chancellor of Himachal Pradesh University, significantly contributing to higher education in the state.

• First Woman Chief Secretary – Asha Swaroop became the first woman Chief Secretary, showcasing the advancement of women in top administrative positions.

Firsts in Education

• First Vice-Chancellor of Agriculture University, Palampur – Dr. Het Ram Kalia was the pioneer of agricultural education in Himachal Pradesh, serving as the first Vice-Chancellor of the Agriculture University.

• First Vice-Chancellor of Horticulture University, Nauni, Solan – Dr. M.R. Thakur played a key role in advancing horticulture education and research as the first Vice-Chancellor of Horticulture University.

• First Education Director – K.L. Sethi was the first to oversee the education sector in Himachal Pradesh, contributing to the development of schools and institutions.

Sports Achievements

• First Person to Climb Mount Everest – Sunil Sharma became the first Himachali to conquer Mount Everest, marking a proud achievement for the state in mountaineering.

• Youngest Girl to Climb Everest – Dicky Dolma set a national record as the youngest girl to summit Mount Everest, showcasing the talent and spirit of youth from Himachal.

• First to Represent India in Olympic Hockey – Charanjit Singh was the first from Himachal Pradesh to represent India in Olympic hockey, a significant achievement in the sports domain.

Military Honors and Gallantry Awards

• First Winner of Victoria Cross – Jamadar Lalaram was the first from Himachal to receive the prestigious Victoria Cross, awarded for bravery in the military.

• First Winner of Param Vir Chakra – Major Somnath Sharma, a Himachali, became the first recipient of the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest military honor.

• First Winner of Mahavir Chakra – Lt. Col. Kaman Singh was the first Himachali to win the Mahavir Chakra for his acts of valor in the armed forces.

• First Winner of Vir Chakra – Havildar Topge was the first from Himachal Pradesh to be awarded the Vir Chakra for his courage in the battlefield.

Awards and Recognitions

• First Recipient of Dr. Y.S. Parmar Award – Mian Geverdhan Singh was the first to be honored with the Dr. Y.S. Parmar Award, recognizing his significant contributions to the state.

• First Recipient of Pahari Gandhi Baba Kanshi Ram Award – Jai Dev Kiran received this award for his notable contributions to the development of Himachal Pradesh and its culture.

• First Recipient of Chanderdhar Sharma Guleri Award – Keshav Narayan was the first to be awarded this prestigious literary award, recognizing his excellence in writing.

Media and Broadcasting Firsts

• First Radio Station – Shimla hosted the first radio station, which became a key medium for communication and entertainment in the region.

• First Private Radio Station – 91.9 BIG FM, Shimla, was the first private radio station in the state, adding to the growth of private broadcasting.

Infrastructure Firsts

• First Railway Line – The Kalka-Shimla railway line, operational since 1903, is one of the oldest and most iconic railways in India, showcasing early engineering excellence.

• First Pucca House in Shimla – The Kennedy House was the first solid construction built in Shimla, setting the tone for British architecture in the region.

• First Hydel Project Executed by State Govt. – The Giri Hydel Project was Himachal Pradesh’s first state-executed hydropower project, emphasizing the state's focus on renewable energy.

Historical and Cultural Firsts

• First Village in India Given Heritage Status – Pragpur became the first village in India to be granted heritage status, preserving its historical architecture and cultural significance.

• Oldest Fort – The Nagarkot Fort in Kangra is one of the oldest forts in Himachal Pradesh, symbolizing the state’s rich history and strategic importance.

• Oldest Democracy in the World – Malana village in Kullu is famous for being one of the world’s oldest forms of direct democracy, where the village assembly governs local affairs.