Devbhoomi Cultural Festival-2026 strengthens cooperation and coordination between Indian Army and local communities
September 2026 : The two-day Devbhoomi Cultural Festival-2026, organised under Operation Sadbhavana jointly by the Indian Army and Chamoli district administration, concluded on Sunday at the Tourist Arrival Plaza of Shri Badrinath Dham.
Held on the theme ‘Our Heritage, Our Future’, the festival was attended by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami as the chief guest. On the occasion, the Chief Minister presented awards to winners and runners-up of various cultural competitions.
Earlier, Chief Minister Dhami visited Bamni village and participated in celebrations organised on the auspicious occasion of Nanda Ashtami. Extending his greetings to villagers, he emphasised the need to preserve and promote the rich folk traditions and cultural heritage of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand.
The Chief Minister visited exhibition stalls showcasing local products, women’s self-help groups, handicrafts, traditional cuisine and other items. He interacted with members of women’s self-help groups and learned about locally produced goods and traditional hill cuisine. He appreciated efforts to provide better market access to local products and said linking them with tourism would create new livelihood and self-employment opportunities in border areas.
Dhami also visited the military exhibition organised by the Indian Army and received information about modern weapons and military equipment. He said such exhibitions introduce young people to the functioning of the Indian Army while strengthening the spirit of patriotism and service to the nation.
Addressing the festival, Chief Minister Dhami welcomed and felicitated soldiers and officers of the armed forces, local residents, youth, students, artists and devotees attending the cultural event held on the sacred land of Lord Badrivishal.
He said the soul of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand lies in its folk culture. Folk dances, folk songs, traditions and customs are an integral part of the state's distinctive identity. Such events help connect the younger generation with their language, culture and roots while also inspiring youth in border areas to consider a career in the Indian Army.
The Chief Minister said the state government was accelerating development while preserving its culture and heritage under the guiding principle of “Development as well as Heritage.” Under the leadership and guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, work on the Badrinath Dham Master Plan is progressing rapidly. Despite difficult geographical and weather conditions, development works are being undertaken in a time-bound manner to improve facilities for pilgrims.
He said facilities related to roads, electricity, telecommunications, tourism and livelihoods were being strengthened in border areas through the Vibrant Villages Programme. Border areas such as Mana, Niti and Jadung are being connected with tourism and livelihood opportunities to promote local employment and self-employment.
Preventing migration from border areas and creating employment opportunities locally, he said, remains a priority of the state government.
To achieve this, initiatives such as the Millet Mission, Apple Mission, homestays, agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, dairy production, beekeeping, cultivation of aromatic plants and local spices, along with winter tourism, adventure tourism and ‘Wedding in Uttarakhand’, are being promoted.
Dhami said 3.10 lakh women in the state have become Lakhpati Didis, while women associated with self-help groups are setting new examples of self-reliance through local products, traditional hill cuisine and handicrafts.
The Chief Minister said such programmes play an important role in strengthening cooperation, coordination and mutual ties between the Indian Army and local communities. He also appreciated the traditional cultural presentation by residents of Mana village during the festival.
Dhami said Uttarakhand is moving rapidly towards increasing investment and employment opportunities in sectors including tourism, AYUSH, wellness, IT and solar energy. He said Uttarakhand has been placed in the ‘Leaders’ category in the Startup India ranking and has secured the first position in the country in the relevant NITI Aayog index.
He emphasised that it is essential to carry the state's culture and roots along with its development journey. Preserving folk languages, folk songs, folk dances, traditional attire, fairs and festivals, he said, is the collective responsibility of everyone.
The Chief Minister congratulated the Indian Army, Chamoli district administration and all organisers for successfully conducting the Devbhoomi Cultural Festival-2026. He also prayed to Lord Badrivishal for the happiness, prosperity and well-being of all.
Among those present were GOC-in-C Central Command Lieutenant General Anindya Sengupta, GOC Northern India Area Lieutenant General D.G. Mishra, Minister of State Harak Singh, Brigadier Gaurav Batra, Madhav Prasad Semwal, BJP district president Gajpal Singh Bartwal, District Cooperative Bank Chairman Gajendra Singh Rawat, BJP district general secretary Vinod Kanwasi, Arun Maithani, District Magistrate Gaurav Kumar and Superintendent of Police Surjeet Singh Panwar, along with Indian Army officers, public representatives, local residents, youth, students and guests from various fields.
