Pres lays foundation stones of 9 projects worth Rs 2000 crores
By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 8 Dec: President Droupadi Murmu was given a grand welcome at the Chief Minister’s residence, here, on her arrival in Uttarakhand for the first time after taking office. On this occasion, she also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 9 development schemes worth Rs 2001.94 crore at a programme organised at the CM’s residence, here, today. The President inaugurated 3 schemes worth Rs 528.35 crore and laid the foundation stone of 6 schemes worth Rs 1473.59 crore. Governor Lt General Gurmit Singh (Retd), Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
Among the schemes launched by the President included the Soban Singh Jena Government Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (Medical College), Almora, and a 4.5 MW Kaliganga-II Small Hydro Electric Project in District Rudraprayag constructed at a cost of Rs 113.71 Crore. Among the schemes for which the President laid the foundation stone of projects were the renovation work of Chilla Power House (144 MW) scheme at a cost of Rs 306 crores, construction of Integrated Office Complex Green Building at a cost of Rs 204.46 crore under the Dehradun Smart City project, 220 KV Project in Manglore, Haridwar, costing Rs 131 crore, work related to undergrounding of overhead HT and LT power lines on the main roads of Dehradun at a cost of Rs 750 crores, construction work on the second phase of Government Polytechnic, Narendra Nagar, at a cost of Rs 32.93 crore and Tanakpur of Champawat at a cost of Rs 49.20 crores and foundation stone of a modern Inter State Bus Terminal.
The President also got acquainted with the rich cultural heritage of Uttarakhand at the cultural evening organised on the occasion. The culture of the state was demonstrated by the folk artists before the President.
Addressing the gathering on this occasion, President Murmu said that she considered herself fortunate to have come to Uttarakhand, the Land of the Gods, the land of tapasya and the land of heroes. The great poet Kalidas had described the Himalayas as ‘the Soul’. As the President, she considered herself blessed to have received the gift of hospitality here.
The President thanked the Governor, the Chief Minister and the people of Uttarakhand for organising the ceremony.
Expressing happiness at laying foundation stones and inaugurating various development projects, the President said that these projects would improve public amenities for the people. She appreciated the Central Government and the State Government for these projects. She said that under the well-coordinated guidance of Governor Singh and energetic leadership of Chief Minister Dhami, Uttarakhand is on the path of all-round development. The hardworking and talented residents of Uttarakhand had contributed significantly in this journey of development of the state.
The President said that, in the Indian tradition, the people living in the Himalayas have been considered descendants of the Gods. In this way the brothers and sisters of Uttarakhand were bearers of a divine tradition. She added that she was feeling elated to be here. The President said that Uttarakhand is the source of rivers that irrigate a large part of India. The Himalayas and Uttarakhand are enshrined in the consciousness of the people of India. Top sages had been taking shelter in the caves and caverns of the Himalayas in search of knowledge. It is a popular belief that for the treatment of Laxman, Hanuman had taken Drona-Mountain of this area along with ‘Sanjeevani Booti’. Uttarakhand has also been a source of well-being, both, from the point of view of spiritual peace and physical healing.
Murmu said that in the fields of modern medicine and Ayurveda medicine, Uttarakhand is constantly taking forward its traditions and establishing new institutions. There are many famous centres of Naturopathy in Uttarakhand where a large number of people from India and abroad come for health benefits. Uttarakhand has immense potential for nature tourism and adventure tourism as well as medical tourism. This would also increase employment opportunities among the youth.
The Governor said that, in the last few years, Uttarakhand has set off on a journey of all-round development. Once upon a time the dream of a rail network was seen in the hills and now it is being realised in the form of the Rishikesh-Karnprayag rail line. The Chardham road scheme had strengthened the road network in the mountains. Now, under the UDAN scheme, border districts like Pithoragarh, Chamoli and Uttarkashi are being connected through air connectivity. Good connectivity would make Uttarakhand a great destination for tourism and business investment. Here organic farming, herbs, yoga-ayurveda are being promoted and being linked with the means of employment. Uttarakhand has been known for its school education since many decades and is also on the way to becoming a model state for higher education as well.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami welcomed and felicitated President Draupadi Murmu on her arrival. The Chief Minister said he had never thought that the President of the country would ever come to the house of a son born in a military family, even if it was an official residence. He felt elated at this. The CM said that when President Murmu had come to Uttarakhand as a presidential candidate, he had requested that after becoming taking office, she should visit Uttarakhand again. He was grateful to her for accepting the request. The Chief Minister said that the President’s extremely difficult life struggle, indomitable courage and inspirational political journey inspired every Indian. Her life journey is also inspirational for all as she conquered all the difficulties in her life by making them her strength.
The Chief Minister said it is a matter of inspiration for all that despite having such important responsibilities in life even today the President leads a simple existence. Under the guidance and direction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the nation would continue to move ahead in its journey of becoming Vishwa Guru again and be able to reach its destination soon.
