Dehradun: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in the Diwali Mahotsav-2025 program organized by the Uttaranchal Press Club in Dehradun on Sunday. During the event, the Chief Minister also distributed prizes to the lucky draw winners.
The Chief Minister stated that the process of allocating land for the Uttaranchal Press Club is underway. Upon completion of this process, a grand building for the Uttaranchal Press Club will also be constructed. Praising the contributions of journalists, the Chief Minister noted that from the Uttarakhand Statehood Movement to the present day, many journalists in Uttarakhand have played a significant role in the overall development of the state through their writings.
Wishing all journalists a Happy Diwali in advance, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that the festival of Diwali brings positive energy to all of us. He said that the lives of journalists are like the lamps of Diwali, which work day and night to guide society. The Chief Minister urged everyone to adopt indigenous products this Diwali. He said that to build a developed India and a developed Uttarakhand, we must promote Swadeshi in our country.
The Chief Minister stated that the state government is sensitive to the problems of journalists. The government has taken several steps to ensure journalists’ safety, health insurance, emergency assistance, and housing schemes. Several senior journalists are being honored under the Senior Journalist Honor Scheme. Efforts have also been made to increase journalists’ pensions and provide adequate accommodation for journalists coming to Dehradun from various districts through the Information Department, as previously.
The Chief Minister stated that the budget for the Journalist Welfare Fund under the Chief Minister’s Journalist Pension Scheme has been increased from ₹5 crore to ₹10 crore. Health camps are also being organized to address the health of journalists. Work has been initiated to modernize media centers and strengthen press clubs across the state.
The Chief Minister stated that the dedication with which journalists work for truth and public interest is commendable. Journalists and journalism, more than simply promoting political and social issues, keep democracy alive. Journalists also fulfill these two important responsibilities: disseminating various government schemes to the public or informing the government about the problems of the common people.
On this occasion, MLA Khajan Das, Disaster Management Advisory Committee Vice President Vinay Ruhela, Responsible Hemraj Bisht, Director General of Information Banshidhar Tiwari, Uttaranchal Press Club President Bhupendra Kandhari, General Secretary Surendra Dasila and other journalists were present.
