Ideas Emerging from Devbhoomi Have Always Inspired Society to Move Forward: CM Dhami
Dehradun, October 2026: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday attended the closing ceremony of the Lekhak Gaon International Festival 2026, organised at Lekhak Gaon in Thano, Dehradun.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister released two publications: Dharti Ka Swarg Uttarakhand, the magazine of Lekhak Gaon, and Devbhoomi Ka Kavya Pushp, a booklet.
Dhami said Lekhak Gaon symbolised ideas that guided society and helped shape the future while remaining connected to the present. He said the initiative was providing a new platform for local talent in the state and giving Uttarakhand a distinct identity on the literary map.
Remembering former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Chief Minister said Vajpayee was a devoted practitioner of words, whose writing possessed the firmness of mountains and the depth of the Ganga. He said Vajpayee had taught the country that words could also become powerful instruments of nation-building.
Uttarakhand: A Centre of Creativity, Knowledge and Culture
The Chief Minister said Devbhoomi Uttarakhand had always been a centre of creativity, knowledge and culture. Ideas emerging from the region had consistently inspired society and helped it progress.
He noted that sages in Uttarakhand had composed numerous great texts. The natural beauty of Devbhoomi had also continually inspired writers, poets and thinkers. Literature, he said, reflected the values and ideas of society.
Dhami observed that writers, poets and creative thinkers had given a new direction to India's freedom movement. Literary figures had also contributed to the Uttarakhand statehood movement.
He said writers and creative individuals were not merely creators of words but also thinkers and guides for society.
Government Initiatives to Promote Literature and Culture
Dhami said the state government was continuously working to preserve literature and culture. Outstanding literary figures from Uttarakhand were being honoured through awards such as the Uttarakhand Sahitya Gaurav Samman, Sahitya Bhushan and Lifetime Achievement Award.
The government was also providing grants to writers for publishing books in Hindi and various regional languages.
He said the state government was working to develop Uttarakhand into a major destination for literary tourism.
The Chief Minister announced that two literary villages were being established in the state. These villages would offer residential facilities for writers, modern libraries, seminar halls and dedicated study spaces.
The initiative would create a supportive environment for literary activities and help enrich Uttarakhand's literary heritage, he said.
Efforts to Preserve India's Literary Heritage
The Chief Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country was making continuous efforts to revive its cultural and literary heritage.
Inspired by the Prime Minister, the Uttarakhand government was also taking concrete and effective steps to collect, preserve and restore the state's scattered literary works.
He said the government was committed to protecting the state's heritage alongside pursuing development.
Connectivity and Tourism in Border Areas Improve
Union Minister of State Ajay Tamta said Uttarakhand was witnessing historic development under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.
He said the efforts of the Central and state governments had led to a steady increase in reverse migration to border areas. Tourist arrivals in Adi Kailash and the Niti-Mana regions had also increased significantly.
Tamta noted that places which earlier took five days to reach could now be accessed in just a few hours, reflecting the improvement in connectivity.
Former Chief Minister Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University Vice-Chancellor Professor Prakash Singh, Professor Pradeep Bhardwaj, Professor Rakesh Sundriyal, Dr Vidushi Nishank and other dignitaries were present at the event.
