Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Union Minister Kiren Rijiju Inaugurate 6th Lok Samvardhan Parv in Dehradun
Uttarakhand becomes the first state in India to partner with the Centre for organizing Lok Samvardhan Parv
Five-day festival from July 11–15 showcases India’s rich folk heritage, handicrafts, traditional products and cuisines through over 150 stalls
Chief Minister and Union Minister plant saplings under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign
Dehradun: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Saturday jointly inaugurated the 6th Lok Samvardhan Parv at Parade Ground, Dehradun. On the occasion, both leaders also participated in the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ plantation campaign, reinforcing the message of environmental conservation.
The five-day cultural festival, being held from July 11 to July 15, has brought together artisans, craftsmen, folk artists, entrepreneurs, and traditional culinary experts from across the country. More than 150 exhibition stalls have been set up, showcasing India’s diverse handicrafts, handloom products, folk art, traditional crafts, indigenous products, regional cuisines, and Uttarakhand’s unique cultural heritage.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said it was a matter of immense pride that Uttarakhand has become the first state in India to partner with the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs for organizing Lok Samvardhan Parv. He said the achievement reflects not only effective Centre-State coordination but also Uttarakhand’s commitment to preserving India’s cultural heritage while promoting inclusive development.
The Chief Minister congratulated the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs and the Uttarakhand Minority Welfare Department for successfully organizing the event and appreciated the efforts of all officials associated with the festival.
He said India’s diverse languages, folk traditions, handicrafts, and cultural heritage represent the nation’s greatest strength. Such festivals help preserve and promote traditional art forms while creating new market opportunities, wider recognition, and sustainable livelihoods for artisans, craftsmen, weavers, and folk performers.
Expressing confidence, Dhami said the festival would emerge as an important platform for the economic empowerment of artisans, women self-help groups, young entrepreneurs, and traditional craftsmen while helping local products gain wider national and international recognition.
The Chief Minister stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, both the Central and State Governments are working with the vision of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas” to ensure inclusive growth for every section of society.
He highlighted several welfare initiatives for minority communities, including scholarships, merit incentives for girls, skill development, self-employment schemes, education loans, the Mukhyamantri Hunar Yojana, and development programmes in minority-concentrated areas. He also emphasized the promotion of modern technology and IT-enabled education in madrasas.
Dhami further said that initiatives such as House of Himalayas and One District Two Products are helping promote Uttarakhand’s traditional crafts, local products, and organic produce in national and global markets. He appealed to residents and tourists visiting Uttarakhand to visit the festival and support local artisans by purchasing indigenous products.
Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju said Lok Samvardhan Parv is not merely an exhibition but a national celebration of India’s cultural diversity, traditional craftsmanship, and the dignity of artisans.
He said the Government of India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is continuously working to connect traditional artisans, craftsmen, and minority community entrepreneurs with national and international markets.
Rijiju noted that the festival is being organized under the Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) Scheme, providing artisans with opportunities in branding, marketing, entrepreneurship, digital outreach, and employment generation.
Appreciating the cooperation extended by the Uttarakhand Government, he said Uttarakhand becoming the first state to partner with the Centre for the festival reflects its strong commitment to cultural preservation and development-oriented governance.
The five-day festival also features cultural performances by folk artists from different states alongside exhibitions and sales of handicrafts, handloom products, bamboo and woodcraft, metal art, organic products, local specialties, and traditional cuisines.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by Cabinet Minister Khajan Das, Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs Dr. Srivatsa Krishna, Joint Secretary S.P. Roy, Special Secretary (Minority Welfare) Dr. Parag Madhukar Dhakate, artisans, folk artists, craftsmen, senior government officials, and a large number of visitors.
