Himachal: JP Nadda lays foundation stone of ICMR's High-Altitude Research Centre in Keylong
Union Health Minister JP Nadda laid the foundation stone for a ₹36 crore ICMR High-Altitude Research Centre in Keylong, Himachal Pradesh.
In a significant boost to medical science and regional development, Union Health Minister JP Nadda laid the foundation stone for the Indian Council of Medical Research’s (ICMR) High-Altitude Research Centre in Keylong, Himachal Pradesh. Situated at a staggering altitude of 10,000 feet, the new facility is estimated to cost approximately ₹36 crore.
The ceremony, held on Monday, saw a gathering of prominent political figures, including BJP MP Kangana Ranaut, Union Minister of State (MoS) for Defence Sanjay Seth, and Himachal Pradesh Leader of Opposition (LoP) Jai Ram Thakur.
A Shift from 'Last' to 'First' Village
Addressing the crowd, JP Nadda highlighted a paradigm shift in how border regions are perceived. He emphasized that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, areas once dismissed as the "last villages" of the nation are being reimagined as the "first villages."
“By considering it as the first village and making it a vibrant village, tourism is increasing there today,” Nadda stated. He further explained that special packages are being rolled out for 75 such vibrant villages across Himachal Pradesh, focusing on infrastructure like roads, dispensaries, and homestay arrangements to drive local development and tourism.
Boosting Healthcare Infrastructure and Research
The establishment of the ICMR centre is expected to provide unique insights into health challenges faced at high altitudes. Jai Ram Thakur, the Leader of Opposition in Himachal Pradesh, noted the immense value of the research that will stem from this location.
“Research will take place here in Keylong and, after our scientists conduct their research, it will be used throughout the country,” Thakur said. He pointed out that because the daily conditions of life at high altitudes are distinct, the health-related findings will have a profound impact both nationally and globally. He also lauded the state's growing medical landscape, mentioning the presence of six government medical colleges and the All India Medical Institute in Bilaspur.
Rising Health Budgets and Border Development
During the event, MoS Defence Sanjay Seth provided context on the government's financial commitment to healthcare. He noted that the national health budget has seen a massive surge, rising from ₹37,000 crore in 2014-15 to over ₹99,000 crore currently.
Echoing the sentiment of development reaching the fringes, BJP MP Kangana Ranaut remarked that the project aligns perfectly with the Prime Minister's vision. She noted that being located near border areas had previously led to these regions being labeled as "last villages," but the current priority is to transform them through active development. “JP Nadda is the son of our mountains,” she added, celebrating the investment in the Himalayan region.