Uttarakhand News: While extending a hearty welcome and greeting to all the journalists on their arrival at Devbhoomi Uttarakhand, the Chief Minister said that Uttarakhand is not only the center of natural beauty and spiritual faith, but is also becoming a state that is setting new dimensions of development at a fast pace. He said that the visit of journalists from different states to Uttarakhand is an important opportunity to understand the cultural, social, historical and development journey of the state.
The Chief Minister said that Uttarakhand has a special identity in the country and abroad due to its rich cultural heritage, religious traditions, folk culture and Himalayan civilization. Religious and spiritual places located here like Chardham, Panchkedar, Panchbadri, Panchprayag, Hemkund Sahib, Purnagiri, Jageshwar, Adi Kailash and Om Parvat are the main centers of faith of crores of devotees and tourists.
The Chief Minister said that under the guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the state government is working by making tourism the main basis of economic development. Along with religious tourism, adventure tourism, eco-tourism, wellness tourism, rural tourism and homestay based tourism are being continuously encouraged. Due to expansion of modern facilities at tourist places, better connectivity and development of world class infrastructure, the number of tourists in Uttarakhand is continuously increasing.
He said that after the visit of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to Adi Kailash, this spiritual place of the border area has got global recognition. As a result, there has been a significant increase in tourism activities in the border areas including Adi Kailash. The Chief Minister said that in the last four years, more than 25 crore tourists and devotees have reached Uttarakhand, which is a proof of the growing popularity of the state and the modern facilities developed in the tourism sector.
The Chief Minister said that the state government is working towards developing Uttarakhand as a round the year tourism. A massive campaign is being run especially to promote Winter Yatra, which is giving a new boost to the winter Gaddi sites and local economy located around Chardham and other religious places. This is also creating new employment and self-employment opportunities for the local people.
The Chief Minister said that with the aim of making the city of Baba Kedar and Lord Badrivishal equipped with world class facilities, extensive redevelopment works are being done under the Kedarnath and Badrinath Master Plan. Through these projects, along with providing modern facilities to the pilgrims, preservation of religious and cultural heritage is also being ensured. He said that under the special guidance of the Prime Minister, unprecedented development work has been done in these two Dhams, which has significantly improved the convenience and travel experience of the devotees.
The Chief Minister said that there has been rapid expansion in road, rail and air connectivity in the state. With the completion of ambitious projects like Delhi-Dehradun Expressway, access to Uttarakhand will become more accessible and tourism and investment will get a new impetus. He said that the road network is being continuously expanded in the state. Besides, rail services and air services are also continuously expanding, thereby providing better and convenient travel to the tourists coming from different parts of the country.
The Chief Minister said that the state government is paying special attention to the development of marginal areas. Roads, bridges, health, education, communication, drinking water and other basic facilities are being expanded rapidly. Along with tourism development in the border areas, the local economy is also being strengthened.
He said that today Uttarakhand is moving rapidly in the direction of good governance, transparency and public welfare. Many important initiatives have been taken in the areas of investment, industry, self-employment, women empowerment, skill development of youth, agriculture, horticulture and rural development. The state government is committed to making Uttarakhand a leading state of the country with a balance of development and heritage.
The Chief Minister said that journalists are a strong pillar of democracy. Through them, correct and positive information reaches the society. He expressed confidence that the journalists coming from Chhattisgarh will share their experiences on a wide scale after knowing closely about the development journey, tourism possibilities, cultural heritage and public welfare initiatives of Uttarakhand, which will further strengthen the positive image of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand across the country.
Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami, through journalists, also cordially invited all the people of Chhattisgarh to come to Devbhoomi Uttarakhand for the upcoming Kumbh. He said that Kumbh is a huge festival of Indian culture, eternal tradition, spiritual consciousness and social harmony. He expressed confidence that along with the devotees coming from all over the country, devotees from Chhattisgarh will also reach Devbhoomi in large numbers to witness this divine and grand event and experience the spiritual, cultural and natural splendor of Uttarakhand.
The journalist delegation expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for his warm welcome and time. He praised the development work taking place in Uttarakhand, better infrastructure, changes in the tourism sector and public welfare initiatives of the state government.
On this occasion, Secretary Vinay Shankar Pandey, Additional Secretary Banshidhar Tiwari, Joint Director K. S. Chauhan, Joint Director of Chhattisgarh Information Department Dhananjay Rathore and more than 20 journalists from Chhattisgarh were present.
