Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday released a book chronicling the life and contributions of late Ranjit Singh Verma, a prominent leader of the Uttarakhand statehood movement. The book, titled ‘Ranjit Singh Verma: A People’s Leader in the Decisive Struggle for Uttarakhand Statehood’, was released at the IRDT Auditorium in Survey Chowk, Dehradun.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister paid tribute to Verma and recalled his significant contribution to the movement for the creation of Uttarakhand.
Dhami appreciated the efforts of senior litterateur Gambhir Singh Palni and Ajay Verma in documenting the life, struggles and contribution of the late leader through the book. He said the publication was not merely the biography of a people's leader but also an important record of the struggle and determination that shaped the Uttarakhand statehood movement.
The book, he said, would help future generations understand the history of the statehood movement and the sacrifices made by those who fought for a separate state.
The Chief Minister said Uttarakhand was created after decades of struggle and the sacrifices of countless activists. The formation of the separate state represented the fulfilment of the aspirations and sentiments of millions of people.
He said Ranjit Singh Verma had played an important role in raising the demand for a separate Uttarakhand, mobilising people and securing widespread public support for the movement.
Dhami recalled that Verma, as the Dehradun district president of the Uttarakhand Joint Struggle Committee, brought various organisations and activists together on a common platform and provided leadership to the movement.
He remained actively involved in the agitation in Dehradun during 1995-96 and in the years that followed. By leading protests such as shutdowns, road blockades, court arrest campaigns and rail blockades, Verma helped strengthen the demand for a separate state.
The Chief Minister also recalled that Verma had turned his in-laws' home in Premnagar Market, Doiwala, into an important centre of the movement. He also helped arrange accommodation for activists arriving from the hilly regions to participate in the agitation.
Referring to the incidents in Khatima, Mussoorie and Muzaffarnagar, Dhami said these remained some of the most painful chapters in the history of the statehood movement. Despite facing numerous hardships and atrocities, the activists continued their struggle.
Their sacrifices and sustained efforts ultimately led to the creation of Uttarakhand as the 27th state of India on November 9, 2000, he said.
Dhami said Verma had been elected twice as an MLA from the Mussoorie Assembly constituency in undivided Uttar Pradesh. However, he always placed the cause of statehood above personal political ambitions. After the formation of Uttarakhand, he chose not to contest elections and remained active in social work.
His life, the Chief Minister said, reflected a firm commitment to principles and selfless public service.
The Chief Minister stressed that it was the collective responsibility of society to pass on the contributions of the statehood activists to future generations and work towards fulfilling their aspirations.
He said the state government was continuously working towards the overall development of Uttarakhand, good governance, self-reliance and preservation of its cultural heritage. The government's resolve was to build a state where young people had better employment opportunities, women became economically self-reliant and the benefits of development reached every citizen.
Dhami said building a developed and prosperous Uttarakhand in accordance with the dreams of the statehood activists would be the truest tribute to Ranjit Singh Verma and all those who fought for the creation of the state.
He paid homage to all martyrs of the statehood movement and expressed gratitude for the contributions of every activist.
Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal, Hans Foundation founder Mata Mangla, senior litterateur Gambhir Singh Palni, Ajay Verma, statehood activists, public representatives and other distinguished guests were present at the event.
