DEHRADUN: On the occasion of the 79th Independence Day, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami hoisted the national flag at the state-level function held at Parade Ground, Dehradun. He honored the family members of freedom fighters and also visited a photo exhibition.
During the program, the Chief Minister felicitated senior police and fire service officers with the President’s Distinguished Service Medal and the CM’s Commendation Medal. Players who excelled in different sports were also honored.
Extending greetings to the people of the state, CM Dhami made six key announcements for public welfare:
# Two LPG cylinders and one stove will be provided in all schools under the Mid-Day Meal scheme where cooking facilities are not available.
# Ten handpumps will be installed in each assembly constituency facing drinking water shortage.
# Honorarium of village chowkidars and village guards will be increased by ₹1,000.
# Block representatives working under the Sainik Welfare Department will get a hike of ₹2,000 in their honorarium.
# Special educational centers will be set up in every district for higher and employment-oriented education, to be operated and coordinated by Uttarakhand Open University.
# Regular studies of Gangotri and other Himalayan glaciers will be conducted, while disaster management will be further strengthened with predictive and proactive measures.
CM Dhami remembered the sacrifices of freedom fighters and martyrs and expressed condolences to the families affected by recent natural calamities in the state. He praised the role of the Army, ITBP, NDRF, SDRF, and state departments for their prompt rescue and relief work during disasters.
Highlighting India’s progress under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said that despite challenges, the nation is moving rapidly towards becoming a fully developed country by 2047. India is now the world’s fourth-largest economy and is achieving new milestones in defense, science, agriculture, education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
The Chief Minister said that Uttarakhand, known as both “Devbhoomi” (land of the gods) and “Veerbhoomi” (land of the brave), is advancing rapidly in education, healthcare, tourism, connectivity, and industrial growth. He noted that MoUs worth ₹3.56 lakh crore were signed during the Global Investors Summit, and projects worth more than ₹1 lakh crore have already been implemented within 18 months. A Smart Industrial Township is also being developed at Khurpia Farm in Kichha.
He emphasized the government’s focus on sports, yoga, and spirituality, recalling the state’s success in the National Games with 103 medals and announcing 23 sports academies in 8 cities under the Sports Legacy Plan. A new Yoga Policy, two Spiritual Economic Zones in Garhwal and Kumaon, the “House of Himalayas” brand for organic products, and farmer-oriented policies like the Millet Mission, Dragon Fruit Policy, and Apple & Kiwi policies were also highlighted.
The CM said that tourism remains the backbone of the state’s economy, with new projects such as Kedarkhand and Manaskhand Mandirmala Mission, Yamuna Tirtha Sthal, Haridwar-Rishikesh Corridor, and Sharda Corridor progressing rapidly. Digital governance initiatives like Apuni Sarkar Portal, e-Cabinet, e-Office, CM Helpline 1905, Anti-Corruption Helpline 1064, and Digital Uttarakhand App have brought transparency and improved work culture.
Mentioning landmark reforms, he said Uttarakhand became the first state in the country to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). The state also enforced one of the strictest anti-cheating laws, under which over 24,000 youths secured government jobs in the last four years, reducing unemployment to a record low of 4.4%. The government has also taken firm steps against forced religious conversions and freed over 7,000 acres of government land from encroachment.
Former Chief Minister and ex-Governor of Maharashtra Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal, Rajya Sabha MPs Mahendra Bhatt and Naresh Bansal, MLA Khajan Das, Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan, DGP Deepam Seth, Dehradun DM Savin Bansal, SSP Ajay Singh, and senior officials were present at the ceremony.
