CM Dhami at Shaurya Mahotsav: Honouring Martyrs Is Our Duty

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday attended the Shaurya Mahotsav held in memory of Ashok Chakra awardee martyr Bhawani Datt Joshi at Chepdo village in Tharali. The event began with the lighting of a ceremonial lamp and floral tributes at the martyr’s memorial, followed by a tree plantation. CM Dhami announced that the fair held in honour of martyr Bhawani Datt Joshi would henceforth be celebrated as a State Fair, and funds would be allocated for beautifying the martyr’s memorial.

Remembering the brave martyr, the CM said Bhawani Datt Joshi made the supreme sacrifice during Operation Blue Star, and was posthumously honoured with the Ashok Chakra by the Government of India. He expressed pride in participating in an event commemorating such a heroic figure.

Highlighting India’s military strength under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, CM Dhami said the morale of the armed forces has significantly increased. Referring to the recent anti-terror Operation Sindoor, he stated that any attack by terrorists would now be met with a strong response.

Expressing displeasure over the collapse of a bridge under construction in Tharali constituency, the CM termed it gross negligence and informed that three engineers had been immediately suspended.

During the programme, CM Dhami honoured the families of several martyrs, including Maheshanand (father of martyr Satish Chandra), Vimla Devi (wife of martyr Kripa Singh), Abhay Singh Negi (brother of martyr Himmat Singh), and Sarojini Kotdi.

Uttarakhand Assembly Speaker Smt. Ritu Khanduri Bhushan, also present at the event, remarked that significant changes were taking place in the state—not just in infrastructure but also in policies, citing examples such as the Uniform Civil Code, anti-cheating law, and women’s empowerment initiatives.

Other dignitaries present included State Minister Balveer Ghuniyal, Hark Singh Negi, Mela President Beeru Joshi, Lt. Col. Harish Joshi, MLA Bhupal Ram Tamta, District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari, SP Sarvesh Panwar, CDO Abhishek Tripathi, SDM Pankaj Bhatt, and a large number of local citizens.

— Department of Information & Public Relations