Dehradun: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the “Pravasi Uttarakhandi Sammelan” at Doon University on Wednesday, as part of the silver jubilee celebrations of the state’s establishment. A minute’s silence was observed on this occasion as a tribute to those who lost their lives in disasters in various parts of the state.
Addressing the Sammelan, the Chief Minister said that Pravasi Uttarakhandis are taking the culture, traditions, and pride of the motherland of Devbhoomi to new heights. Pravasi Uttarakhandis are true brand ambassadors of Devbhoomi. He said that the intimacy reflected in Uttarakhand’s unique folk culture, language, and dialect connects us across the world. He said that wherever Pravasi Uttarakhandis live, they carry with them the culture of Devbhoomi and the fragrance of their soil. The state government has formed the Pravasi Uttarakhand Parishad with this objective, so that their suggestions and experiences can be incorporated into the mainstream of the state’s development.
The Chief Minister said that many migrants in the state are contributing to development by adopting their villages. He said that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Uttarakhand government is continuously moving forward towards the goal of “Developed India, Developed Uttarakhand.” He said that the state has made significant progress in areas such as education, health, roads, sports, drinking water, and air connectivity. Schemes such as “One District Two Products,” “House of Himalayas,” “State Millet Mission,” “New Tourism Policy,” “Wade in Uttarakhand,” and “Solar Self-Employment Scheme” have infused new energy into the local economy.
The Chief Minister said that the state has secured first place in the country in the NITI Aayog rankings for Sustainable Development Goals. Uttarakhand’s achievement of “Achievers” in the “Ease of Doing Business” and “Leaders” in the “Startup Ranking” is a result of the state’s well-planned efforts. He said that the state government is fully committed to maintaining cultural values and demographic balance. The state has implemented the country’s strictest anti-plagiarism law, resulting in more than 26,000 youth joining government jobs in the last four years.
The Chief Minister stated that the state government is implementing a “zero tolerance” policy against corruption, under which more than 200 corrupt individuals have been jailed in four years. He stated that the state government’s goal is to make Uttarakhand a state by its Golden Jubilee year where every youth has access to respectable employment, migration is halted, and migrants return with dignity. With the spirit of “Development as well as Heritage,” the state is moving towards cultural prosperity and economic self-reliance. The Chief Minister called upon the expatriate Uttarakhandi community to become partners in this development campaign.
Former Chief Minister and former Governor of Maharashtra, Bhagat Singh Koshyari, said that the secret and heritage of our Devbhoomi lies in honesty and hard work. Because of this, people from Uttarakhand work with their talent, diligence, and honesty both in the country and abroad. He said that we must recognize our strengths. Today, Uttarakhand is among the leading states in the country in many respects. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also has a special affection for Uttarakhand. He expressed confidence that all our expatriates will always remain connected to their roots and will continuously contribute to the state’s development.
MLA Vinod Chamoli said that many personalities from Uttarakhand have distinguished themselves through their work in various parts of the country. He appealed to all expatriate Uttarakhandis to contribute to the state’s development in whatever field they possess expertise. He stated that the state government will fully support any contributions the expatriates make to the state’s development.
Deputy Speaker of the Delhi Legislative Assembly and expatriate Uttarakhandi Mohan Singh Bisht expressed his gratitude to Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami for organizing this conference and said that Uttarakhand is a treasure trove of our soul and culture. The fragrance of Uttarakhand’s soil, the sweetness of its dialect, and the sound of its folk dances always resonate in our hearts. He added that under Chief Minister Dhami’s leadership, Uttarakhand is steadily progressing.
Expatriate Uttarakhandi and film actress Mrs. Himani Shivpuri shared that she has adopted her ancestral village in Rudraprayag district. She added that Uttarakhand is a state rich in cultural and folk art, and therefore, we must continuously work towards promoting our traditions.
Sudhansh Pant, a non-resident Uttarakhandi and Chief Secretary of Rajasthan, said that this day of the Non-resident Uttarakhandi Conference is a celebration of the fragrance of our soil, the soul of our culture, and a sense of belonging. He said that the cool mountain air is filled with the warmth of a mother’s love. Uttarakhand is a land of faith, hard work, and values. He said that today we should all take a pledge to remain connected to our culture and contribute our full efforts to taking Uttarakhand to new heights.
