In a significant development push for the state of Uttarakhand, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and inaugurated various key projects worth approximately Rs 4200 crore across multiple sectors. These projects encompass rural development, road infrastructure, power generation, irrigation, drinking water supply, horticulture, education, healthcare, and disaster management, among others. The Prime Minister’s visit was marked by the warmth and affection of the people of Uttarakhand, which he described as a “Ganga of Affection.”
Addressing the audience, Prime Minister Modi acknowledged the spiritual and courageous spirit of the land. He emphasized the synergy between the soldiers of Garhwal Rifles, who find inspiration in the proclamation of “Jai Badri Vishal” at Baidyanath Dham, and the tolling of bells at the Kali Mandir in Gangolihat, which invigorates the soldiers of the Kumaon regiment. He celebrated the rich heritage of Uttarakhand, which includes revered shrines such as Baidyanath, Nandadevi, Poorangiri, Kasardevi, Kainchidham, Katarmal, Nanakmatta, Reetha Sahib, and countless others.
The Prime Minister expressed his deep connection to Uttarakhand and underscored his government’s commitment to the state’s progress. He also highlighted the remarkable achievements of India on the global stage, including the successful landing of Chandrayaan on the moon’s south pole, which was subsequently named Shiv Shakti. Modi emphasized the transformative power of skill development and acknowledged the outstanding performance of Indian athletes on the world stage.
“In his speech, the Prime Minister emphasized his government’s dedication to supporting India’s soldiers, ensuring border development, and introducing the One Rank One Pension scheme, which has disbursed over Rs 70,000 crores to over 75,000 families of former soldiers. Additionally, he mentioned the substantial infrastructural developments in border areas, with over 4,200 km of roads, 250 bridges, and 22 tunnels constructed in the past nine years. He also announced plans to extend railway services to border areas”.
The Prime Minister lauded the Vibrant Village scheme for uplifting the country’s remote villages and restoring life to villages that had been deserted due to previous policies’ neglect. The scheme aims to increase tourism in these areas and improve facilities for local farmers, particularly in apple farming. The government has allocated Rs 1,100 crore to fund these projects.
Prime Minister Modi spoke about the “Shri Anna” variety of rice, grown for generations in Uttarakhand, and mentioned the government’s efforts to promote it worldwide. He highlighted the campaign to promote Shri Anna and its positive impact on small farmers.
“Regarding women’s empowerment, the Prime Minister reiterated his government’s commitment to supporting women with various schemes, including housing, sanitation, gas connections, healthcare, education, and banking services. He pointed to the distribution of drones to women’s self-help groups to improve agricultural practices and transportation”.
In conclusion, Prime Minister Modi celebrated Uttarakhand’s rich cultural heritage, unique traditions, and delectable cuisine. He highlighted the government’s efforts to bolster tourism and pilgrimage in Uttarakhand, including the Char Dham Yatra, Kedarnath Dham reconstruction, and new infrastructural projects. The Prime Minister also emphasized the importance of connectivity in Uttarakhand’s development, mentioning projects such as the Chardham Mega Project, All Weather Road, the Rishikesh-Karnprayag rail project, and the UDAN scheme.
Recognizing Uttarakhand’s vulnerability to natural disasters, the Prime Minister announced an allocation of Rs 4,000 crore for disaster preparedness projects to ensure swift relief and rescue operations in case of emergencies. In his closing remarks, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of this era for India and expressed confidence that the nation would rapidly achieve its goals with the blessings of Baba Kedar and Badri Vishal. The event was attended by Uttarakhand’s Chief Minister, Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami, and other ministers from the state government.
