Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his warm greetings to the people of Uttarakhand on the occasion of the state’s 25th Foundation Day on Saturday, marking the silver jubilee of the creation of the state.
In a video message on X, PM Modi pledged to fulfill the vision of a ‘Viksit Uttarakhand’ as part of the broader goal of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ over the next 25 years. “Many congratulations to all my family members in Uttarakhand on the silver jubilee of Devbhoomi. This decade will be the decade of Uttarakhand,” PM Modi said in his address.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed the central government’s unwavering commitment to the state’s development, noting, “Today marks the beginning of the silver jubilee celebrations of Uttarakhand. We now have to embark on the next 25 years towards a bright future for the state. The nation will witness the fulfillment of our resolution for a Viksit Uttarakhand and a Viksit Bharat in these 25 years.”
PM Modi highlighted the state’s economic progress, citing Uttarakhand’s first-place ranking in the latest SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) index. “In the last 1-2 years, the state’s growth rate has increased by more than 1.25 percent. The GST contribution from Uttarakhand has risen by 14 percent, and the average annual income has reached Rs 2.6 lakh,” the Prime Minister added.
The Prime Minister also emphasized the significance of responsible tourism in the state, urging visitors to uphold cleanliness, avoid single-use plastic, support local businesses, and respect local customs. “I have four appeals for the tourists visiting Uttarakhand: Prioritize cleanliness, pledge not to use single-use plastic, stay vocal for local, and follow traffic rules and religious guidelines,” PM Modi said.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami led the state’s 25th Foundation Day celebrations at Parade Ground in Dehradun, where he was joined by Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan, Governor Lt Gen Gurmit Singh (Retd), State Secretary Radha Raturi, and other dignitaries.
As part of the celebrations, CM Dhami conferred the prestigious Uttarakhand Ratna Awards on five individuals for their outstanding contributions in various fields. The honorees included CDS Anil Chauhan, folk singer Pritam Bharatwan, Mahesh Kudiyal, Mata Mangala for social service, and Hemant Pandey for his work in film and art.
In his remarks, CM Dhami paid tribute to the sacrifices made by those who contributed to the state’s formation. “I congratulate all the residents of Uttarakhand on this momentous occasion. PM Modi has said that the third decade of the 21st century will be Uttarakhand’s decade, and we are all committed to making his words a reality,” CM Dhami said.
(Inputs from ANI)
