Independence Day celebrated with fervour in U’khand
By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 16 Aug: The 78th Independence Day was celebrated with great pomp across the state on Thursday. On the occasion, Governor Lt General Gurmit Singh (Retd) hoisted the Tricolour at the Raj Bhawan and, later, also hosted a High Tea for dignitaries and media persons, last evening.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also hoisted the Indian flag first at his official residence and then at the main function site, and also at the BJP State Headquarters. Chief Secretary Radha Raturi hoisted the Tricolour at the Secretariat, while DGP Abhinav Kumar did so at the State Police Headquarters. Various ministers hoisted the flag at the district headquarters of which they are in charge.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami greeted the people of the state. He paid tribute to all the martyrs and freedom fighters, and martyred statehood agitationists. On this occasion, Dhami also made eight major announcements, the most important being hike in the social pension amount from Rs 4,000 per month to Rs 6,000 for elderly people and widows, etc. Another major announcement made by him yesterday was the decision that one local body of all the districts of the state will be developed as an ideal urban local body.
In his address, Dhami claimed that, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country is moving forward rapidly, the prestige of India is increasing around the world. India is also achieving new records in every field. In addition to repealing outdated laws that were in place since the British era, the Modi government has taken decisions like removing Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir and led the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
Dhami also claimed that Uttarakhand has played an important role in this golden journey of India. Uttarakhand is not only Devbhoomi but also Veerbhoomi, and the people of the state are proud of the state’s military tradition and its patriotic heritage. In Veerbhoomi Uttarakhand, brave soldiers from almost every family have been contributing to the defence of the country for generations. He added that the state government has built a Shaurya Sthal in Dehradun in honour of the martyre
d soldiers and that the ex-gratia amount given to the martyred soldiers from the state has been increased from Rs 10 lakhs to Rs 50 lakhs. The Uttarakhand government has enforced many laws including the anti mass-conversion law, and anti-copying law. The Government is working keeping in mind simplification, solution, settlement and satisfaction. To end corruption, the 1064 toll free number has been issued. Anyone can call on this number and complain against corruption. So far, action has been taken against more than 100 corrupt people.
The Chief Minister said that, during the Uttarakhand Global Investor Summit-2023, MoUs have been signed with the state government for investment of about Rs 3.5 lakh crore, out of which MoUs worth about Rs 81 thousand crore have been grounded.
The Chief Minister added that respect for women power has been the tradition in the state. In order to make women financially stronger, loans up to Rs 5 lakhs are being given to women self-help groups at zero interest rate under the Lakhpati Didi scheme. A target has been set to make 1.25 lakh women Lakhpati Didis by the year 2025. Thirty percent horizontal reservation has been implemented in government jobs for women. The honorarium of Anganwadi workers has also been increased. Under the Antyodaya Free Gas Refill Scheme, the benefit of 3 gas cylinder refills free of cost in a year is being given.
The CM announced that one local body in each district will be developed as an ideal body. He also announced that the farmers doing excellent work in the field of industry, horticulture and any other field would be honoured. Employee Personal Loan Scheme will be implemented for regular employees of the Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Divyang and Other Backward Classes.
He also announced that the amount given under Old Age Pension Scheme, Widow Pension Scheme, Divyang Pension Scheme, Grant Scheme to Children with Disabilities from Birth and Pratyakta Pension Scheme will be increased from Rs 4,000 to Rs 6,000 per month. To connect the youth with self-employment, the subject matter of training under the Skill Development Scheme will be determined by the District Skill Development Committee in accordance with local requirements.
Dhami announced that a policy will be made for the overall welfare of senior citizens. To promote trout fish production to stop migration from the hills to the plains, a scheme of Rs 200 crore will be started in the Fisheries Department. He added that, to provide modern veterinary facilities to the livestock farmers of the state, one model veterinary hospital will be constructed in every district at a cost of Rs 75 crore. Due to this about 11 lakh livestock farmers will get its benefit.
Chief Secretary Radha Raturi hoisted the national flag in the presence of officers and employees in the Secretariat and congratulated everyone on the 78th Independence Day. On this occasion, she also planted saplings in the Secretariat premises and distributed saplings to school children. Raturi said that it is a matter of great joy for all that India has completed 77 years as an independent country. While, today, incidents like war, unrest and revolution are happening in various countries of the world, a strong democracy and peaceful system has been established in India in the last 77 years. Indians are fortunate to be living under a constitution that gives equal rights to everyone.
On the occasion of Independence Day, in a programme organised at the Uttarakhand Police Headquarters, DGP Abhinav Kumar hoisted the flag and administered the oath of national unity to everyone. After this, the DGP congratulated all the medal winners by awarding Commendable Service Medal and Excellent/Commendable Service Honour Mark to police personnel.
On the occasion, Kumar said that Independence Day is a symbol of the country’s self-respect, sacrifice, and indomitable courage. He added that he salutes all those brave freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives to give the country this invaluable freedom. The importance of this day is not limited only to the country’s history but also reminds everyone of his or her duties and responsibilities. This day inspires all to make continuous efforts to make the country safe, prosperous, and powerful.
In Dehradun, District Magistrate Sonika also hoisted the national flag at the District Collectorate and addressed the gathering on the occasion.
