Tehri: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the three-day ‘Pratham Gaja Ghantakarna Mahotsav-2025’ in Gaja, Tehri district on Tuesday. The festival commenced with the Chief Minister offering prayers at the revered Ghantakarna temple, seeking prosperity for Uttarakhand. He also paid tribute to statehood martyr Belmati Chauhan by garlanding his statue.
Addressing the gathering, CM Dhami highlighted the importance of such festivals in preserving and promoting the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of Uttarakhand. He referred to the mythological Ghantakarna temple in Gaja as a significant religious site, second only to Badrinath’s parikrama, with its scenic views extending from Haridwar to the Himalayas making it a potential tourism hotspot.
Emphasizing the vision of a ‘Developed India by 2047’, the Chief Minister said that this goal can only be achieved through the holistic development of villages, panchayats, districts, and the state of Uttarakhand. He reiterated his government’s commitment to development under the principle of ‘Vikalp Nahi Sankalp’ (No Alternative, Only Resolution), aspiring to make Uttarakhand the best state in the country.
Dhami noted the rapid strides India is making economically, having moved from the 11th to the 4th largest economy in the world, and projected to reach the 3rd position by 2027.
He also outlined several ongoing and upcoming development initiatives in the Gaja region, including:
Construction of a Polytechnic Institute with an investment of ₹30 crore
Implementation of the Henvalghati Drinking Water Scheme worth ₹24 crore
Establishment of a Nagar Panchayat Office, Gaushala, and Rest House
The Chief Minister also highlighted efforts to boost local livelihoods through branding initiatives like One District One Product and House of Himalayas, and spoke about schemes in the sectors of skill development, agricultural machinery, tourism, the Apple Mission, and solar-powered self-employment.
He further elaborated on several landmark policy decisions taken by the state government, including the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), anti-copying and anti-conversion laws, and stringent land laws. Under a zero-tolerance policy against corruption, over 100 individuals involved in exam scams have been arrested and more than 23,000 youth have secured government employment.
Forest and Technical Education Minister Subodh Uniyal welcomed the Chief Minister and applauded the state’s achievements. The event featured cultural performances by school children, which received appreciation from the CM, who also emphasized the importance of preserving Uttarakhand’s folk culture and traditional attire.
As part of the event, the Chief Minister felicitated students selected for prestigious institutions such as MBBS, IIT, NIT, and the Indian Navy. He also announced the renaming of a village road in honor of martyr Vikram Singh Negi.
The celebration was attended by BJP District President Uday Rawat, public representatives, government officials, and a large number of local residents.
