NEW DELHI, November 9, 2024 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his heartfelt greetings to the people of Uttarakhand on the state’s 25th Foundation Day, pledging a vision of a ‘Viksit Uttarakhand’ as part of a broader goal for a ‘Viksit Bharat’ over the next quarter-century.
In a video message shared on X (formerly Twitter), Modi congratulated the people of “Devbhoomi Uttarakhand,” marking the occasion as a milestone. “Many congratulations to all my family members of the state on this silver jubilee year. This decade belongs to Uttarakhand,” he stated, emphasizing the central government’s unwavering support for the state’s growth.
Modi underscored the government’s commitment, noting, “Today begins the silver jubilee celebrations of Uttarakhand. We now embark on the journey for the next 25 years, aiming to realize the dream of a prosperous Uttarakhand that contributes to a stronger India. The central government is fully committed to ensuring the state’s development,” he said.
Citing economic achievements, the Prime Minister highlighted Uttarakhand’s top rank in the previous year’s SDG index. He mentioned a significant uptick in the state’s growth rate, which has surged by over 1.25% in recent years. Additionally, Uttarakhand’s GST contributions have risen by 14%, while the average annual income has climbed to ₹2.6 lakh.
Modi also appealed to tourists visiting the state, urging them to prioritize cleanliness and sustainability. “I have four appeals to make to tourists. Prioritize cleanliness in the mountains, pledge to avoid single-use plastic, support local businesses, and adhere to traffic and religious site regulations,” he urged.
Meanwhile, the 25th Foundation Day celebrations took place at Dehradun’s Parade Ground, where Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami was joined by dignitaries, including Chief of Defence Staff Anil Chauhan, Governor Lt Gen Gurmit Singh (Retd), and State Secretary Radha Raturi.
During the event, Chief Minister Dhami presented the prestigious Uttarakhand Ratna Awards to five notable individuals: CDS Anil Chauhan, folk singer Pritam Bharatwan, social worker Mata Mangala, Mahesh Kudiyal, and actor Hemant Pandey for their contributions in various fields.
Addressing the gathering, Dhami expressed his gratitude to the people of Uttarakhand, saying, “I congratulate all residents on this special day. I pay tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for our country. As Prime Minister Modi remarked, this decade will be Uttarakhand’s decade, and we will work tirelessly to fulfill this vision.”
The celebrations marked a moment of reflection on the state’s progress since its formation in 2000 and set the tone for future development with a focus on sustainable growth and tourism.
