Dehradun: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the Silver Jubilee Celebration of Uttarakhand’s formation in Dehradun, marking 25 years since the state’s establishment. During the event, the Prime Minister inaugurates and lays foundation stones for development projects worth over ₹8,140 crore, aimed at boosting infrastructure, education, tourism, and irrigation across the state.
Extending greetings to the people of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand, PM Modi recalls the state’s creation under the leadership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and pays tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for its formation. He expresses pride in Uttarakhand’s progress, noting that its budget has grown from ₹4,000 crore at inception to over ₹1 lakh crore today, with rapid expansion in education, healthcare, connectivity, and tourism sectors.
“This decade belongs to Uttarakhand,” PM Modi asserts, highlighting the state’s transformation driven by inclusive development and collective effort. He emphasizes that projects like the Jamrani and Song Dam initiatives will resolve critical water challenges in Dehradun and Haldwani, while generating employment opportunities.
The Prime Minister appreciates the state government’s innovation in providing subsidies to apple and kiwi farmers through digital currency, ensuring transparency and direct benefits. He also praises Uttarakhand’s commitment to the ‘Vocal for Local’ initiative, celebrating 15 state products that have received Geographical Indication (GI) tags, including Bedu fruit and Badri cow ghee.
Underscoring Uttarakhand’s spiritual and ecological importance, PM Modi envisions the state as the “Spiritual Capital of the World”, connecting its temples, ashrams, and yoga centers to global wellness networks. He also calls for every assembly constituency to develop integrated centers for Ayurveda, Yoga, and Naturopathy, enhancing its global appeal for wellness tourism.
The Prime Minister stresses the significance of connectivity, announcing that over ₹2 lakh crore worth of infrastructure projects are currently underway, including the nearly completed Delhi–Dehradun Expressway, the Rishikesh–Karnaprayag rail project, and ropeways to Kedarnath and Hemkund Sahib.
He highlights the success of initiatives promoting winter tourism and adventure sports, citing the Adi Kailash Parikrama Run and the surge of visitors at Kedarnath Dham, which welcomes nearly 17 lakh pilgrims this year.
Uttarakhand is also emerging as a film and wedding destination, with PM Modi encouraging the development of 5–7 major hubs for the “Wed in India” campaign. He praises the “House of Himalayas” initiative for bringing local artisans and entrepreneurs to digital markets, giving Uttarakhand’s products a unified global identity.
Commending Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami for strong governance, including implementation of the Uniform Civil Code and proactive disaster management, PM Modi expresses confidence that Uttarakhand will continue to scale new heights of development while preserving its rich culture and heritage.
The event also witnesses the launch of a commemorative postal stamp and direct financial support of ₹62 crore to over 28,000 farmers under the PM Fasal Bima Yojana.
Governor Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Gurmit Singh, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, and Union Minister Ajay Tamta are present at the ceremony, marking the state’s proud milestone and future vision.
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