Dehradun, 9 November (H.S.): Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing a grand ceremony in Dehradun on Sunday to mark the Silver Jubilee of Uttarakhand’s formation, articulated a vision for the state to establish itself as the “Spiritual Capital of the World.” Commemorating 25 years of statehood, the Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for a comprehensive suite of development initiatives valued at over ₹8,140 crore.
Speaking on the momentous occasion, Prime Minister Modi extended his greetings to the people of “Devbhoomi” (Land of Gods). “Seeing the heights Uttarakhand has reached today, it is natural for every person who once struggled for the creation of this beautiful state to feel happy,” he stated, reflecting on the journey since its formation 25 years ago under the government of then-Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He paid tribute to the martyrs and activists of the statehood movement and affirmed his deep personal connection to the region.
“This is indeed the defining era of Uttarakhand’s rise and progress,” he declared, reiterating his conviction that this decade belongs to Uttarakhand.
A Quarter-Century of Transformative Growth
The Prime Minister contrasted the state’s humble beginnings with its current progress. He recalled that 25 years ago, Uttarakhand’s budget was merely ₹4,000 crore, which has now impressively surpassed ₹1 lakh crore. He detailed the state’s developmental strides, noting that in this period, electricity generation has increased fourfold, the road network has doubled in length, the number of engineering colleges has grown tenfold, and medical colleges have increased from one to ten.
Highlighting the recent surge in connectivity, he pointed out that while the state previously saw only 4,000 air passengers over six months, it now welcomes over 4,000 air travelers in a single day.
“Uttarakhand has made significant progress across all dimensions of life,” he remarked, attributing the success to inclusive policies and the collective resolve of its citizens.
Blueprint for Future Development
As part of the day’s events, the Prime Minister launched projects aimed at accelerating this growth trajectory. The initiatives, worth over ₹8,140 crores, encompass crucial sectors such as drinking water, irrigation, technical education, energy, sports, and skill development.
Key projects include the Song Dam Drinking Water Project, designed to supply 150 million liters per day (MLD) to Dehradun, and the multipurpose Jamrani Dam Project in Nainital. He also digitally transferred ₹62 crore to over 28,000 farmers under the PM Fasal Bima Yojana.
The Vision:Spiritualism, Tourism, and Local Economy
The core of the Prime Minister’s address focused on a forward-looking vision for the next 25 years. “Devbhoomi Uttarakhand is the heartbeat of India’s spiritual life,” he proclaimed, emphasizing that the state’s true identity lies in its spiritual strength. He urged the state to leverage this by connecting its revered temples, ashrams, and yoga centers into a global network to become the world’s spiritual capital.
To achieve this, he outlined a multi-pronged strategy:
Wellness and Tourism: He proposed developing comprehensive wellness packages in every assembly constituency, combining yoga, Ayurveda, and naturopathy to attract international tourists. He also highlighted the success of the Vibrant Villages Programme in turning border areas into tourism hubs promoting homestays and local culture.
Vocal for Local: The Prime Minister praised the state’s push for local products, celebrating the 15 GI tags awarded to its agricultural products, including the recently recognized Bedu fruit and Badri cow ghee. He lauded the “House of Himalayas” brand for unifying these products for global markets.
Wed in India: He encouraged Uttarakhand to become a premier wedding destination, suggesting the development of five to seven major venues to attract large-scale events.
Economic Diversification: He advocated for developing hill districts as horticulture centers focusing on high-value crops like blueberries and kiwis, and empowering MSMEs in food processing and handicrafts.
The Prime Minister also commended the state government under Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami for its decisive policies, including the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code, the anti-conversion law, and firm actions against unauthorized encroachment.
Concluding his address, he expressed confidence in Uttarakhand’s future, assuring the full support of the central government as it embarks on its journey toward the next quarter-century of progress.
– Hindustan samachar
(This story is from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been edited by The Central Post staff.)
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