Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami Welcomes Foreign Delegates in Bhararisain

Bhararisain – Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami extended a warm welcome to foreign dignitaries at Bhararisain, Gairsain, on the eve of International Yoga Day. The event showcased Uttarakhand’s spiritual heritage, its growing global reputation in Ayush and wellness, and its emergence as a hub for yoga and traditional medicine.

Welcoming delegates from Mexico, Fiji, Nepal, Suriname, Mongolia, Latvia, Sri Lanka, and Russia, CM Dhami highlighted Uttarakhand’s evolution as the global capital of yoga and Ayurveda. He honored the guests with symbolic mementos and traditional Uttarakhandi caps.

Dhami praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visionary leadership, stating that thanks to his initiative, the United Nations recognized June 21 as International Yoga Day in 2014, supported by over 177 countries. Recalling the PM’s declaration from Kedarnath, Dhami emphasized that this is Uttarakhand’s decade, driven by holistic wellness and spiritual resurgence.

Yoga, Wellness & Uttarakhand’s Global Role

CM Dhami stated that under PM Modi’s guidance, Uttarakhand is being developed as the global centre of yoga. With its pure Himalayan environment, spiritual energy, and serene climate, the state offers the ideal setting for meditation and wellness. He described yoga not merely as exercise but as an art of healthy living deeply rooted in Indian tradition.

He emphasized that yoga, Ayurveda, and Panchakarma are integral to Uttarakhand’s culture. The state, home to sages and healers, boasts over a century-old institutions like Rishikul and Gurukul Ayurvedic Colleges, which continue to promote traditional medical knowledge across generations.

Dhami added that Uttarakhand supplies medicinal herbs such as Kutki, Jatamansi, and Timur, highly valued in the international market. Many leading Ayurvedic medicine companies operate manufacturing units in the state, reflecting its rising global relevance.

He also spoke about developing supply chains, extraction units, and trade mechanisms for Himalayan herbs, and highlighted the potential of traditional superfoods like mandua, jhangora, bhatt, bichhu ghaas, and kilmoda, which could be packaged and marketed globally. He called for joint research and innovation in lifestyle disease prevention and health preservation.

Vibrant Cultural Showcase

The pre-Yoga Day event also offered a rich glimpse into Uttarakhand’s cultural tapestry, beginning with the sacred Nanda Devi Raj Jaat Yatra. Folk dances such as Jhora-Chhapeli, Nati, and other regional performances captivated the guests, introducing them to the Garhwali, Kumaoni, and Jaunsari traditions.

Dignitaries Present

The event witnessed the presence of several international dignitaries including:

• H.E. Federico Salas, Ambassador of Mexico to India
• Ricardo Daniel Delgado, Head of Economic Affairs, Embassy of Mexico
• H.E. Jagnnath Sami, High Commissioner of Fiji to India
• H.E. Dr. Shankar Prasad Sharma, Ambassador of Nepal to India
• H.E. Arunkoemar Hardien, Ambassador of Suriname to India
• H.E. Dambajavin Ganbold, Ambassador of Mongolia to India
• Mr. Marks Ditons, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Latvia
• Mr. Lakshmendra Geshan Disanayake, Minister Counsellor, Sri Lankan High Commission
• Ms. Kristina Ananina, First Secretary, and Ms. Katerina Lazareva, Third Secretary, Russian Embassy

Among the Indian attendees were Padma Shri awardee Swami Bharat Bhushan, MLA Anil Nautiyal, Secretary Deependra Kumar Chaudhary, Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey, SDMA Vice Chairperson Dr. Vinay Ruhela, DG Information Banshidhar Tiwari, Chamoli DM Sandeep Tiwari, and SP Sarvesh Panwar.

The event, organized by the Department of Information and Public Relations, successfully combined diplomatic engagement, yoga advocacy, and cultural celebration, reinforcing Uttarakhand’s growing role in the global wellness movement.Tools