Dehradun, 06 November (H.S.): Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah attended the celebrations marking the 26th anniversary of Uttarakhand’s formation at Parade Ground in Dehradun on Friday. The event witnessed considerable enthusiasm among people who had arrived from different parts of the state. Women reached the venue in groups dressed in traditional attire representing the Garhwal, Kumaon and Jaunsar regions. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami welcomed Shah at Jolly Grant Airport.

On the occasion of State Foundation Day, Uttarakhand is set to receive development projects worth Rs. 1,475.31 crore. Amit Shah will inaugurate several projects and lay the foundation stones for others. These initiatives are expected to accelerate the expansion of roads, healthcare, education, tourism, infrastructure and public amenities across the state.

Addressing the Rajyotsav celebrations at Parade Ground, Cabinet Minister Satpal Maharaj described State Foundation Day as an occasion of pride and celebration. He said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Uttarakhand was continuously scaling new heights of development. He noted that, alongside the Char Dham Yatra, the government was also promoting winter tourism and pilgrimage. The government, he said, was focused on creating employment and self-employment opportunities for young people and checking migration from the hill districts. Making Uttarakhand self-reliant, he added, remained a key priority of the government.

Maharaj also criticised Congress leaders, alleging that making derogatory remarks about Uttarakhand and the heroes of the armed forces was inappropriate. He said comments describing the people of Uttarakhand as infiltrators deserved a response. Issues concerning the state’s identity, dignity and honour, he emphasised, required people to stand united.

Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the state government has been focusing on expanding basic infrastructure, promoting tourism, generating employment opportunities and attracting investment. The State Foundation Day celebrations have provided an opportunity to highlight Uttarakhand’s development journey so far as well as its goals for the future.

Cabinet Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat said the government would leave no stone unturned in ensuring the state’s overall development. Describing Uttarakhand’s achievement of becoming a fully literate state as a significant milestone, he said it was a matter of pride for the entire state. He added that the government was working not only to improve literacy but also to enhance the overall quality of education.

Cabinet Minister Ganesh Joshi, meanwhile, criticised the Congress, alleging that its leaders were working to create an atmosphere of disorder in the country. He said that although the Congress claimed to champion the concerns of young people, it was unable to tolerate the youth.

Cabinet Minister Rekha Arya said Uttarakhand had completed 26 years since its formation, making considerable progress on the development front. The state, she added, was moving forward steadily and achieving new milestones across various sectors.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar