INDORA/SHIMLA: Braving frigid winter chill of the Devbhoomi, Bharat Jodo Yatra led by Rahul Gandhi was greeted with warm hospitality of Devbhoomi by thousands of people   as soon as the yatra entered Himachal Pradesh at  Manser in Kangra district today at 7 AM before making its beeline for the last leg to Jammu and Kashmir.

As soon as T-shirt clad Rahul Gandhi arrived along with the yatris from Punjab he was accorded a warm welcome by the Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Party President Pratibha Singh and public in general.

The Children and his fans carried placards and banners welcoming him in the Devbhoom that came as a warming up applause for Gandhi.  

"People of Himachal are like its mountains- powerful but peace-loving. The state government is linked to the ground which will work for development of Himachal -fulfilling all promises", Rahul Gandhi said while completing his yatra  in the state. 

Like a Tapsvi Rahul Gandhi's countenance emits an aura and positivity that attract attention of the passersby and those who had come to participate in the yatra.

This was all the more awe-inspiring that while others were feeling the chill even in warmer woolens, Rahul Gandhi in a Half T-shirt was as cool and calm as a mountain, greeting and waving at the public.  

After entering Himachal at the border village of Ghatota,  the Punjab State Congress President, Raja Warring handed over the Tricolour to the Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and State Congress President, Pratibha Singh in presence of Rahul Gandhi.

This 24 kilometre Yatra starting from Manser Toll Plaza will converge at Malout Village in Indora area of Kangra district and is scheduled to enter Jammu and Kashmir State on 19th January, 2023.

Thousands of people and supporters from the State welcomed Rahul Gandhi and participated enthusiastically in the Yatra. 

The Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is orchestrating the movement by mobilising the party workers and general public on foot from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, spanning 3,570 kms.

Yatra started from Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu on 7th September, 2022 and it  will conclude in Srinagar by 30th January, 2023 with hoisting of the national flag there.

Addressing the gathering at Manser, Rahul Gandhi said the Bharat Jodo Yatra aimed at uniting the Nation against the communal and divisive forces.

"It also  aimed at giving a befitting reply to the nefarious designs of the BJP and the RSS", he said.

'My aim is to unite the people and the nation against anti people policies of Bharatiya Janta Party', said Gandhi. 

He said the BJP completely failed to address the unemployment and inflation issues and involved itself in nepotism by providing benefits to its favourites.

Nothing has been done for the youth and common masses as all the decisions of the BJP such as demonetization, wrong implementation of GST etc. were aimed at benefitting their high profile business friends, he charged. 

Rahul Gandhi said that he has received immense response from the general public during this Yatra and has also learnt a lot from the people of 'Bharat'.

On the request of the Himachal leadership, he has made a few changes in his Yatra's route so that he could also cover Himachal Pradesh on his way to Kashmir.

"I appreciate the good work being done by Sukhu in the state", said Gandhi. "Chief Minister is a common man, who well understands the aspirations of the people".

"In a short span of one month, Himachal's Chief Minister has ensured that the State forges ahead on the path of progress and prosperity", Gandhi said.

Chief Minister, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said massive victory of the Congress was in fact the victory of truth over corruption and the credit goes to the dedication and hard work of Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi.

He said that Himachal Pradesh would also follow the path of unity, integrity and coexistence shown by the Congress party by launching 'Hath se Hath Jodo campaign'. 

He thanked the Congress leader for changing his itinerary on the request of the Himachal congress.

MP and State Congress President, Pratibha Singh while welcoming Rahul Gandhi, assured him that the State Government and the Party would implement all the ten guarantees of the Congress as promised in its 'Pratigya Patra'.

She said that the State Government has already announced Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for its employees in its very first Cabinet meeting and promises like providing Rs. 1500 to women in age group of 18 to 60 years would be implemented soon.

Later, Rahul Gandhi along with state leaders visited the historic Shiva Temple at Kathgarh and paid their obeisance.

Congress Incharge, Rajiv Shukla, Co-Incharge Sanjay Dutt,  Speaker Kuldeep Pathania, Ministers Dr. Col. Dhani Ram Shandil,  Chander Kumar, Harshwardhan Chauhan, Jagat Singh Negi, Rohit Thakur, Anirudh Singh and Vikramaditya Singh, MLAs, other senior Congress leaders and dignitaries, besides Congress workers in large number  also participated in the Yatra.