Prime Minister Narendra Modi has exhorted the people and Government of Uttarakhand to develop the State as the spiritual Capital of the world. Congratulating the people of the State on the silver jubilee of its foundation and the achievements of the past 25 years, Modi said that a roadmap of the next 25 years should be prepared for the State.
The PM was addressing a huge crowd at the Forest Research Institute (FRI) ground at a programme to mark 25 years of the State’s foundation. He said that Devbhoomi Uttarakhand is the heartbeat of India’s spiritual life and Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath, Jageshwar, and Adi Kailash are sacred pilgrimage sites that symbolise our faith. The PM added that every year, lakhs of devotees visit these shrines, infusing new energy into Uttarakhand’s economy.
He emphasised that the temples, ashrams and centres of meditation and yoga in the State can be connected to a global network. The PM suggested that every Assembly constituency in Uttarakhand should have a complete package of yoga and Ayurveda centres, and naturopathy institutes, which would strongly appeal to foreign tourists. He said that the Central Government is focusing on the Vibrant Villages programme along the borders and added that every vibrant village in Uttarakhand can become a small tourism hub, promoting homestays, local cuisine, and culture. Modi said that all mountain districts of Uttarakhand hold significant potential for fruit cultivation and should be developed as horticulture centres.
He identified blueberry, kiwi, herbal, and medicinal plants as the future of farming. He averred that Uttarakhand holds potential for year-round tourism and mentioned the winter Char Dham Yatra and recently held high-altitude marathon in Pithoragarh at over 14,000 feet, and noted that the Adi Kailash Parikrama Run has become a source of inspiration for the nation.
Appreciating Uttarakhand for implementing the Uniform Civil Code, Modi said that it had set an example for other States. The State Government had also taken bold decisions like introducing an anti-conversion law, he added. Earlier, the PM began his speech in the Garhwali language, striking a chord with the audience. He also recalled his experience of staying in the mountainous region of the State before entering electoral politics.
The event also saw the PM launching various developmental projects worth over Rs 8,140 crore. Among the major projects, he laid the foundation stones for the Jamrani dam project in Nainital district and the Song dam drinking water project in Dehradun. A sum of Rs 62 crore was also transferred directly into the accounts of more than 28,000 farmers under the PM Fasal Bima Yojana by Modi.
Governor Lieutenant General (Retd) Gurmit Singh, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, and others were also present on the occasion.
