Dehradun: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in the Atal Smriti Lecture Series-2025 program organized on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Writer’s Village, Thano, Dehradun on Thursday. On this occasion, the Chief Minister also inaugurated the Atal Auditorium.
Paying tribute to Bharat Ratna, former Prime Minister, the late Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that it was our revered Atal who gave statehood to Devbhoomi Uttarakhand. He said that through this program, a meaningful effort is being made to convey his thoughts, democratic values, and patriotic spirit to the younger generation. The Chief Minister said that the late Atal’s entire life has been a living symbol of patriotism, democratic norms, and human values.
The Chief Minister said that as a powerful poet, Atal ji gave voice to emotions through his words. The Chief Minister said that it will always be a matter of pride for him that during his student days, as an ABVP worker in Lucknow, he received the guidance and blessings of the late Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He said that as the Prime Minister of the country, the late Atal Bihari Vajpayee paved the way for making India a strong, prosperous, and self-reliant nation.
The Chief Minister said that from the Pokhran nuclear tests to the Golden Quadrilateral project, from the Rural Road Scheme to the telecommunications revolution, each of his decisions gave India a new direction. By successfully completing the full term of a coalition government, he proved that when the objective is national progress and upliftment, even different parties can run a government unitedly. Atal Bihari Vajpayee ushered in a new work culture based on service, good governance, and welfare of the poor, which played a crucial role in connecting even the last person in the line of duty to the mainstream.
The Chief Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the NDA coalition government is working towards making India strong, prosperous, capable, and self-reliant. Today, work is being done towards building a planned, developed and self-reliant India by formulating specific action plans for each sector. The dream of a self-reliant India is being realized through initiatives like Startup India, Vocal for Local, Make in India, Skill India, and Digital India.
The Chief Minister stated that projects like world-class expressways, ring roads, highways, and elevated roads are becoming the hallmark of New India. 99 percent of India’s villages have been connected by road, and 34 kilometers of highways are being constructed every day. He stated that revered Atal ji had a very close and deep attachment to the Devbhoomi (land of the Gods), Uttarakhand. It was the government under his leadership that established the state of Uttarakhand, fulfilling our long-cherished dreams.
The Chief Minister stated that, inspired by Atal ji and under the leadership and guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the state government is continuously working to fulfill the aspirations of the people. The state government has formulated numerous schemes for the welfare of every segment and sector of society, from villages to cities, from farmers to youth, from women to labor, and from businessmen to employees, and has effectively implemented them.
The Chief Minister stated that the Migration Prevention Commission’s survey report has recorded a significant 44 percent increase in reverse migration. He stated that the state has achieved first place in the country in increasing farmers’ income. He also emerged as a leading state in providing employment opportunities to youth. He also ranked first in the country in the NITI Aayog’s Sustainable Development Goals 2023-24 Index. He also announced the adoption of several historic decisions.
Former Chief Minister Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, Mrs. Vidushi Nishank, Prem Budhakoti, Suresh, Pradeep Sardhana, Dr. Savita Mohan, and others were present.
