CM felicitates ‘Democracy Warriors’ who opposed Emergency
By OUR STAFF REPORTER
DEHRADUN, 26 Jun: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami today felicitated the ‘Democracy Warriors’ of Uttarakhand at his official residence, here, today.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister announced that the dependants of ‘Democracy Warriors’ will also be provided honorariums, for which a government order had already been issued. The honorarium of the warriors had also been increased from Rs 16,000 to Rs 20,000.
He declared that arrangements would be made so that everyone could know about the struggle of these democracy warriors of Uttarakhand during the infamous Emergency. Their demands would be addressed with all seriousness.
The Chief Minister stated that it was his good fortune that he had got the opportunity to honour those who protected India’s democracy during the period of National Emergency. The country would never forget the sacrifices made by them. When the Emergency was imposed, its opposition was not limited to those involved in politics, but also the common people.
Dhami reminded that the existence of democracy in normal life becomes known when someone takes away the democratic rights. During the Emergency, all the people of the country started feeling that everything had been taken away from them. He recalled that a joint front was formed by the students of universities including those of Lucknow University, BHU and Allahabad University and it received support from the big leaders of that time such as Loknayak Jaiprakash Narayan, Nanaji Deshmukh and Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The result of that struggle was that democracy was restored in the country.
The Chief Minister added that, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country has demonstrated its potential in the whole world. Today, under his able leadership, continuous work is being done to empower every Indian, be it a Dalit, a woman, a farmer, a disabled person or a youth. Every section is being empowered. While wishing good health and longevity to all the democracy warriors, he said that, being the chief servant of the state, he would always continue to work in the same way to strengthen democracy. He expressed the hope that he would continue to get their guidance and blessings.
Former Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari said that the coming generations should be aware of the efforts made to protect democracy. He advised that programmes be held for this at the district level as well. He appreciated Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s respect for the elders and commitment to the development of the state.
On this occasion, the warriors also shared their experiences of the Emergency and also expressed their gratitude to the Chief Minister.
Also present on this occasion were President of Uttarakhand Loktantra Senani Sangathan KK Aggarwal, General Secretary Girish Kandpal, Ranjit Singh Jala, Vijay Kumar Mehar, Yograj Pasi, Prem Barakoti, Hayat Singh Mehra and others.
