Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami Participates in Martyrs’ Honour Ceremony at Lansdowne

Lansdowne, Oct 2025 : Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in the Martyrs’ Honour Ceremony held in Lansdowne, Pauri Garhwal, on Sunday. Paying tribute to the immortal stories of heroism and supreme sacrifices of brave soldiers, the Chief Minister made several important announcements to further strengthen welfare measures for soldiers and their families.

At the event, Chief Minister Dhami paid homage to the martyrs, honouring their families and dependents by presenting them with commemorative copper plaques and ceremonial shawls. He also inspected the Army Band and extended his greetings to the soldiers. At the Amar Shaheed Gabbar Singh Negi Memorial, the Chief Minister laid a wreath at the statue of the valiant soldier, saluting his memory and sacrifice.

Lighting a ceremonial lamp before urns containing sacred soil collected from the courtyards of martyrs’ homes across various districts, he paid floral tributes to the fallen heroes. These urns, containing the holy soil, will later be enshrined at the Grand Military Dham (War Memorial) being built in Dehradun — a tribute to the indomitable spirit and courage of the state’s martyrs.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister announced several key measures for the welfare of soldiers and their families:

• Renovation of the Sainik Rest House in Kotdwar with modern facilities.
• Establishment of Common Service Centres at the Directorate of Sainik Welfare and District Sainik Welfare & Rehabilitation Offices to provide free services by appointing Veer Naris (war widows) and ex-servicemen.
• Financial assistance for the renovation of the Garhwal Rifles Regimental Centre Museum in Lansdowne.
• Upgradation of the Primary Health Centre (PHC) at Jayahrikhal.
• Naming of institutions and roads after martyrs:
  • Government Inter College, Kartiya → Shaheed Kamal Singh Rawat
  • High School, Dobriyasar → Shaheed Anuj Singh Negi
  • Barua-Chinbo Road → Shaheed Keshavanand Dhyani
  • PHC → Shaheed Harish Joshi
  • Jayahrikhal-Gumkhal Road → Shaheed Khushal Singh Negi

Dhami further announced that all World War II veterans and their widows will now receive honorarium benefits even if they do not receive aid from other sources.

The Chief Minister emphasized that the Sainik Dham is not merely a structure of bricks and stones but a symbol of immortal souls and a lasting inspiration for future generations. He said, “The sacred soil from the courtyards of martyrs’ homes is being brought to the Sainik Dham — a true tribute to the brave who gave everything for the nation.”

He highlighted the Shaheed Samman Yatra 2.0, held from September 25 to October 4, as a journey of gratitude towards the tears and sacrifices of martyrs’ families. The under-construction Military Dham, he said, will serve as a beacon of patriotism for generations to come — a reminder of those who sacrificed their present for our future.

Dhami noted that almost every household in Uttarakhand has a connection with the armed forces. The state government, he said, has consistently worked for the welfare of soldiers and their families. The ex gratia amount for martyrs’ families has been increased from ₹10 lakh to ₹50 lakh, while Param Vir Chakra awardees will now receive ₹1.5 crore. An assistance of ₹10,000 is also provided for the funeral of martyrs. Additionally, soldiers are being given up to 25% exemption on stamp duty for land purchases.

Under the compassionate appointment scheme, 28 dependents of martyrs have been appointed to government service, with 13 more cases currently under process. The application period for such appointments has also been extended from 2 years to 5 years.

The Chief Minister praised the Central Government for implementing One Rank One Pension, providing modern equipment, jackets, and boots for soldiers, and strengthening India’s defence sector. “Today, India stands among the world’s leading nations in defence exports and is fully capable of responding strongly to any adversary,” he said.

He also urged citizens to join the initiative “Ek Ped Shaheedon Ke Naam” (One Tree in the Name of Martyrs), similar to the earlier “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign.

Sainik Kalyan Minister Ganesh Joshi stated that the Shaheed Samman Yatra 2.0 concluded successfully in Lansdowne, after starting from Dehradun on September 25. He informed that sacred soil from the homes of 71 martyrs has been collected and will be placed at the Amar Jawan Jyoti before the inauguration of the Military Dham. He expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for his unwavering sensitivity and commitment to the welfare of soldiers and their families.

Rajya Sabha MP Mahendra Bhatt said that Uttarakhand is not only Devbhoomi (Land of the Gods) but also Veerbhoomi (Land of the Brave). “We do not see our martyrs as departed souls but as immortal heroes. The peace we breathe today is a gift of their courage and sacrifice,” he said, commending the state government for reserving 10% of Group C uniformed government posts for soldiers and Agniveers.

MLA Dilip Singh Rawat paid heartfelt tributes to the bravery and sacrifices of the martyrs. A special video clip showcasing highlights from the Shaheed Samman Yatra was also presented, moving the audience with the glorious legacy of the state’s heroes.

Sainik Kalyan Secretary Deependra Chaudhary thanked all guests, martyrs’ families, and citizens, noting that the event not only served as a tribute to the fallen but also symbolized the collective resolve of the people and the government toward building the Military Dham.

Among those present were District Panchayat Chairperson Rachna Butola, MLA Rajkumar Pori, Colonel of the Regiment Lt. Gen. D.S. Rana, Lt. Gen. Sharat Chandra (Retd.), Brigadier Vinod Singh Negi, Vice Chairman of the Cow Welfare Commission Pt. Rajendra Anthwal, District Magistrate Swati S. Bhadoria, SSP Lokeshwar Singh, Mayor of Kotdwar Shailendra Singh Rawat, and other dignitaries.

(Issued by Department of Information & Public Relations)