Garhwal Post Bureau
Mussoorie, 24 May: The Soham Himalayan Centre, located in the tourist hub of Mussoorie, became a focal point of special attraction on Saturday when Satpal Maharaj—Minister of Tourism, Irrigation, and Public Works—arrived to inspect the museum. During his visit, while commending the efforts to preserve Uttarakhand’s culture, folk life, and heritage, he remarked that the centre offers a glimpse of “Alpha to Omega Uttarakhand.”
Appreciating the museum’s collection of rare coins, traditional artefacts, and sculptures crafted from waste materials, Satpal Maharaj stated that the centre is playing a vital role in connecting the new generation with their roots and culture.
Praising the centre’s founders, Sameer Shukla and Dr Kavita Shukla, he noted that museums of this nature not only enhance knowledge but also strengthen cultural consciousness.
He appealed to tourists visiting Mussoorie from both within the country and abroad to make it a point to visit the Soham Himalayan Centre, thereby enabling them to experience Uttarakhand’s cultural heritage and folk traditions up close. Maharaj emphasised that promoting the reuse and recycling of waste is a necessity of the times, as it not only aids in environmental conservation but also generates increased employment opportunities.
Satpal Maharaj further stated that the state government is continuously strengthening the “Homestay Scheme” to boost tourism in remote regions. He noted that the scheme, which previously permitted a maximum of six rooms for homestays, has now been expanded to allow for up to eight rooms. The government is also providing subsidies and other incentives to homestay operators to ensure that the youth in villages gain access to employment opportunities. He added that traditional delicacies prepared using Manduva (finger millet), Jhangora (barnyard millet), and other indigenous hill grains are gaining popularity among tourists, thereby bolstering the local economy. Emphasising new dimensions of tourism such as stargazing and bird-watching, Maharaj stated that the pristine nature and clear skies of Uttarakhand’s remote regions offer a unique experience to tourists. The government is actively working towards developing such tourism destinations.
During this interaction, he expressed concern regarding illegal constructions taking place in restricted zones along the Mussoorie-Dehradun route, as well as the temporary structures being erected along the roadside. He affirmed that prompt action would be taken against such illegal constructions. Additionally, work is proceeding rapidly on the development of alternative routes and the Dehradun Ring Road project to alleviate traffic congestion in Mussoorie.
Satpal Maharaj announced that the George Everest area is undergoing further development. Plans are underway to construct a theatre and an art gallery at this site to showcase Uttarakhand’s culture and the history of George Everest, thereby providing a platform for local artists.
Responding to a question regarding the 2027 Assembly elections, he expressed confidence that the BJP would once again form a government with an absolute majority in Uttarakhand. He asserted that developmental initiatives—such as the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway and the Rishikesh-Karanprayag Rail Project—are the result of the BJP government’s visionary outlook. Launching a critique of the opposition, he remarked that the opposition lacks constructive thinking—a quality possessed solely by the BJP—and that the people of the state would cast their votes for the BJP government in recognition of the developmental work undertaken for the region.
Meanwhile, Sameer Shukla, founder of the Soham Himalayan Centre, noted that establishing this museum amidst challenging circumstances was a significant undertaking. He stated that his objective is to preserve Uttarakhand’s culture and heritage and to pass it on to the younger generation. He also appealed to the government for support regarding the promotion and further development of the museum. Vijay Ramola and Shridhar Singh were present on this occasion.
