CM inaugurates 1st Gaja Ghantakarn Mahotsav
Gaja (Tehri), 27 May: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami today inaugurated the First Gaja Ghantakarn Mahotsav-2025 at Atal Utkrisht RIC, Gaja, in Tehri district and extended his congratulations for the festival.
On this occasion, he also offered prayers at the Ghantakarn Temple, seeking prosperity for the state. He also garlanded the statue of statehood activist and martyr Belmati Chauhan. The CM stressed on the significance of cultural festivals in preserving traditions. He noted that the Gaja Ghantakarn Temple is among Uttarakhand’s ancient temples, where the second parikrama after Badrinath is performed. He described it as a major tourist destination with panoramic views of Haridwar and the Himalayas and lauded the festival’s role in fostering regional development.
Addressing the gathering, Dhami reiterated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a Developed India by 2047 hinges on the progress of villages, panchayats, districts, and Uttarakhand itself. He affirmed the state’s commitment to becoming India’s leading state, citing India’s economic rise from the 11th to the 4th largest economy globally and its anticipated position as the third-largest economy by 2027. Under Modi’s leadership, he said, India’s culture and heritage are thriving in this Amrit Kaal (golden era), reflected in key projects like the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Mahakal Temple in Ujjain, Badrinath Master Plan, Kedarnath reconstruction, All-Weather Road, and rural development in agriculture, energy, and tourism.
Dhami also announced several development projects in Gaja, including a Rs 30 crore polytechnic, a Rs 24 crore Hewalghati Pumping Drinking Water Scheme, and the construction of a Nagar Panchayat office, cowshed, and rest house. He further praised the skilled women self-help groups manufacturing local products under ‘One District One Product’ and ‘House of Himalaya’, stating their work rivals that of international brands. He also pointed to emerging opportunities in farm machinery, Apple Mission, tourism, film policy, solar self-employment, and agriculture.
The CM reminded the audience of Uttarakhand’s path to leadership under Modi, citing major decisions like the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), anti-copying law, anti-conversion law, and stringent land regulations. He reaffirmed the government’s zero tolerance stance against corruption, noting that the anti-copying law led to over 100 arrests for exam malpractices and enabled 23,000 youths to secure government jobs.
During the event, Forest and Technical Education Minister Subodh Uniyal welcomed the CM and praised rural development initiatives undertaken under his leadership. School children showcased cultural performances, including welcome songs, Saraswati Vandana, folk art, and tableaux. Dhami expressed his gratitude to the children’s parents and organisers, encouraging traditional attire and folk culture. He also commended Uttarakhand’s women for preserving cultural heritage globally. Various government departments set up stalls providing information on welfare schemes.
The CM also felicitated local students selected for prestigious institutions like MBBS, IIT, NIT, and the Indian Navy. He announced that a road in martyr Vikram Singh Negi’s village would be named in his honour.
Among the dignitaries present were District President BJP Uday Rawat, Block Chief Administrator, Narendra Nagar, Rajendra Bhandari, Nagar Palika Parishad President, Chamba, Shobhni Dhanola, Nagar Panchayat President, Gaja, Kunwar Singh Chauhan, District Magistrate Mayur Dixit, SSP Ayush Aggarwal, folk singer Pritam Bhartwan, and other officials, public representatives, and residents.
