Garhwal Post Bureau
Kotdwar, 23 Jan: On the auspicious occasion of Basant Panchami, the Speaker of the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly and MLA from Kotdwar, Ritu Khanduri Bhushan, today formally inaugurated and dedicated to the public the grand statue of Chakravarti Emperor Maharaja Bharat at the historic and mythological site of Kanvashram in Kotdwar.
On this occasion, Speaker Bhushan stated that under the announcement of the Chief Minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami, the project titled “Installation of Maharaja Bharat’s Statue and Construction of the Platform at Kanvashram” has been inaugurated. The project has been completed at a cost of approximately Rs 79.74 lakh and is expected to give a new direction to tourism in the region.
She emphasised that giving Kanvashram national and international recognition is among her top priorities and that she is fully committed to this goal. Along with the statue installation, a selfie point and attractive paintings have also been developed for tourists, making the site more appealing.
During the programme, the Speaker also participated in the Kanvashram Festival and enjoyed performances by renowned folk singer Dr Pritam Bhartwan. Despite the rainfall, a large number of local residents attended the event. Expressing her gratitude, she remarked that traditional fairs and festivals are the true carriers of culture and civilisation.
Chief Minister Dhami, while addressing the gathering through a video message, extended his greetings to everyone on the occasion of Basant Panchami and highlighted the historical and mythological significance of Kanvashram. He stated that the state government is committed to strengthening ancient heritage sites by linking them with employment opportunities.
Through his video message, the Chief Minister also announced the following development initiatives for the Kotdwar Assembly constituency:
Strengthening of pipelines under the Motadhang–Nagri Drinking Water Scheme and Haldukhata Drinking Water Scheme
Construction of two additional classrooms and a boundary wall at a Government Inter College in the Kotdwar area
Flood protection works in villages Kashipur Talla and Ratanpur located on the right bank of the Khoh River
Road construction along the Sukhro River in Dugadda Development Block
Construction work from Kilometre 13 to 16 on the Chillarkhal–Sigaddi–Kotdwar–Pakhro Motor Road
Renovation of Shashidhar Bhatt Stadium located in the Kotdwar Assembly constituency
Prominent attendees at the event included District President Rajgaurav Nautiyal, BJP State Vice President Shailendra Singh Bisht, Mayor Shailendra Rawat, Rishi Kandwal, Mahila Morcha’s Anita Arya, Mandal President Ashish Rawat, Prema Khantwal, Vikasdeep Mittal, Yuva Morcha President Shanta Bamrara, Mahila Morcha’s Shashibala Keshtwal, SC Morcha’s Sunita Devi, Suman Kotonala, Satish Gaur, several councillors, and numerous party workers.
