Uttarakhand has created a new chapter of development in 24 years: CM Yogi

Lucknow : Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath congratulated the people of Uttarakhand on completing 24 years since its establishment and entering its silver jubilee year. He said that over the past 24 years, Uttarakhand has achieved significant achievements in development and has set new standards by preserving its cultural heritage.

The Chief Minister inaugurated the 10-day Uttarakhand Mahotsav at Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant Parvatiya Sanskritik Upvan on the banks of Gomti river on Saturday.

Recalling the holy shrines of Uttarakhand—Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri, and Jageshwar Dham—he said, “For centuries, these sacred sites have been a center of faith for devotees. Today, these places have also become major tourist attractions, drawing visitors from both within the country and abroad.”

The Chief Minister expressed special thanks to the Uttarakhand Maha Parishad for preserving the state’s cultural heritage by organizing the Uttarakhand Mahotsav every year.

He highlighted that the reconstruction and expansion of facilities at Kedarnath Dham have significantly boosted the number of tourists visiting the site. He also mentioned that Jageshwar Dham gained global recognition, particularly after the Prime Minister’s visit. Tourism, he said, has not only created employment opportunities but has also strengthened the local economy.

CM Yogi mentioned that the Uttarakhand Maha Parishad was founded by the first Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, the late Govind Ballabh Pant, and has been dedicated to preserving the cultural heritage and traditions of the state.

“Through this council, the rich cultural practices of Garhwal and Kumaon are highlighted, supporting local artists and social workers. This initiative plays a crucial role in preserving Uttarakhand’s cultural heritage”, he said.

The CM added that despite the life of the people of Uttarakhand being very difficult, personalities like late Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna and Narayan Dutt Tiwari made a significant contribution in taking not only Uttar Pradesh but also Uttarakhand to new heights by their efforts.

“Bahuguna ji fought for development, while Tiwari ji promoted industrialization, boosting economic progress. Today, Uttarakhand’s rapid development is a result of their vision and struggle,” CM said.

The Chief Minister emphasized that the Uttar Pradesh government will always stand by Uttarakhand, stressing that a society that respects its heritage is the one that progresses. With this mindset, the government will continue to support the Uttarakhand Maha Parishad to promote the state’s culture, traditions, and folk tales.

On this occasion, Lucknow Mayor Sushma Kharkwal, former minister Rita Bahuguna Joshi, Uttarakhand Maha Parishad convener Diwan Singh Adhikari, President Harish Chandra Pant, General Secretary Bharat Singh and other dignitaries were present.

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Dr. Kalyan Singh Rawat honored with ‘Uttarakhand Gaurav’

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was welcomed with a flower shower at the program, where the Chholiya dance group performed stunts in his honor. During the event, CM Yogi felicitated environmentalist Padmashree Dr. Kalyan Singh Rawat, the pioneer of the Maiti movement, with the prestigious ‘Uttarakhand Gaurav Samman’.

The program also marked the release of the Uttarakhand Darpan Souvenir and the special issue Prakriti Naman.

The ongoing Uttarakhand Mahotsav, which will continue until November 18, features around 150 stalls showcasing handicraft products made by artisans from various states.

The stalls include organic products, pulses, herbal juices, Uttarakhand Bal Mithai, Nainital Namkeen, Kashmiri shawls, carpets, and food items prepared by self-help groups. The exhibition is open from 10 am to 10 pm.