CM inaugurates Gauchar fair, announces committee on Simli Hospital issue
Garhwal Post Bureau
GAUCHAR (CHAMOLI), 14 Nov: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the 74th State Industrial Development and Cultural Gauchar Fair here on Saturday and described the Mela as a living symbol of Uttarakhand’s historical heritage, vibrant trading traditions and distinct cultural identity. He also inaugurated two drinking water schemes aimed at strengthening water supply systems in Gauchar and Gairsainand in addition announced that a committee would soon be constituted to address issues related to Simli Hospital.
The seven-day fair opened on Saturday with traditional rituals and the lighting of the ceremonial lamp. On his arrival in Gauchar, the CM was accorded a grand welcome with band performances, floral garlands and traditional hospitality. Dhami paid floral tributes to the statue of the fair’s founder, late Govind Prasad Nautiyal. Students from local schools presented colourful cultural performances showcasing the region’s folk traditions. District Magistrate Gaurav Kumar welcomed the CM by presenting him with the official mascot of the Gauchar Fair.
Addressing the gathering, Dhami said the Gauchar Fair is not merely an event but a reflection of Uttarakhand’s historical legacy, thriving commercial traditions and unique cultural identity. He noted that the fair had started in 1943 as a Bhotia trade fair with the support of local traders, social workers and the then administration. At that time, Gauchar was an important centre of Indo-Tibetan trade where wool, pashmina, medicinal herbs and other local products were traded. Over the decades, the fair expanded in scope and has emerged as a prominent industrial and cultural event recognised across the country.
He emphasised that fairs play a significant role in preserving folk culture, traditional arts and social harmony while also strengthening community bonds. Preserving these age-old traditions and passing them on to future generations, he said, was a collective responsibility.
Highlighting the importance of Chamoli district, Dhami said that it is the land of Lord Badrivishal, the maternal home of Goddess Nanda Devi and the birthplace of the globally acclaimed Chipko Movement. He said the district has produced numerous brave soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of the nation. Under the guidance of PM Modi, he said, continuous efforts are being made to develop border villages as the country’s “first villages” rather than its last. The development of frontier areas, expansion of basic infrastructure and improvement in quality of life remain among the government‘s priorities.
Dhami said the State Government is working to ensure adequate employment and self-employment opportunities for young people within their own villages and regions. Efforts are being made to increase incomes through agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, tourism and handicrafts so that people are not compelled to migrate in search of livelihoods. To achieve this, various employment-oriented initiatives, including the Tourism policy, Homestay policy, Film policy and Solar Self-Employment Scheme, are being implemented effectively.
Referring to Chamoli’s woollen handicrafts, pulses, rajma, mandua, jhangora, honey and medicinal herbs, the Chief Minister said these products should find markets beyond local boundaries and reach larger national and international markets. The CM claimed that the government remains fully committed to the holistic development of Chamoli district.
Responding positively to demands raised by public representatives and local residents, Dhami said a committee would soon be formed to address issues related to Simli Hospital after hearing all concerned stakeholders.
As a part of the programme, Dhami also honoured senior journalist Lalit Prasad Lakhera of Bamoth village in Chamoli with the Govind Prasad Nautiyal Memorial Award-2026 for his distinguished contribution to journalism and literature. Senior author and publisher Kirti Navani of Binsar Publication, Dehradun, was conferred the Pandit Maheshanand Nautiyal Education and Literary Promotion Award-2026.
The CM also inaugurated two major drinking water projects aimed at improving and strengthening water supply infrastructure in the region. These included the Gauchar Urban Drinking Water Scheme in Karnaprayag block, developed under AMRUT 2.0 at an approved cost of Rs 32.45 crore, and the strengthening and repair works of the Gairsain Urban Drinking Water Scheme in Gairsain block undertaken under a Chief Minister’s announcement at a cost of Rs 459.32 lakh.
Among those present on the occasion were Chamoli district in-charge minister Bharat Singh Chaudhary, Tharali MLA Bhupal Ram Tamta, Karnaprayag MLA Anil Nautiyal, State Minister Harak Singh Negi, Balveer Ghuniyal, Ramesh Gadiya, Ram Chandra Gaud, Madhav Prasad Semwal, Prem Singh Rana, Chandrakala Tiwari, Chamoli District Cooperative Bank chairman Gajendra Singh Rawat, BJP district president Gajpal Singh Bartwal, Gauchar Municipal Council chairman Sandeep Negi, Karnaprayag Block Pramukh Deepika Maikhuri, BJP general secretary Arun Maithani, Vinod Kanwasi, District Magistrate Gaurav Kumarand SP Surjeet Singh Panwar.
