Dehradun: Marking the silver jubilee of Uttarakhand’s formation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday hailed the state’s remarkable journey of growth and transformation. Speaking at the Forest Research Institute in Dehradun, Modi praised the “double-engine” government with the Bharatiya Janata Party in power both at the Centre and in the state for propelling Uttarakhand to new heights.
Donning a traditional pahari cap and sprinkling his speech with Garhwali and Kumaoni phrases, Modi reflected on his enduring connection with Uttarakhand. He recounted how he was inspired during his spiritual visits to the state by the resilience and determination of its people. “When I conducted Baba Kedar darshan, I said this decade belonged to Uttarakhand. This was not just a casual utterance when I said this, I had faith in you. Today, as Uttarakhand completes 25 years, I am confident that this is the era of Uttarakhand’s rise and prosperity,” he declared.
The Prime Minister highlighted the transformative journey of Uttarakhand since its inception on November 9, 2000, when former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee fulfilled the long-standing aspirations of its residents. Modi contrasted the state’s early challenges limited transportation, modest budget, and dependency on central assistance with today’s achievements.
• The state budget has grown from Rs 4,000 crore to Rs 1 lakh crore.
• Electricity production has quadrupled, while the road network has doubled in length.
• Air traffic has surged: previously 4,000 tourists would arrive in six months; now over 4,000 visit in a single day.
• The number of engineering colleges has increased more than tenfold, and medical colleges have grown from one to ten.
• Vaccination coverage now reaches every village, a remarkable leap from less than 25% coverage two decades ago.
“These accomplishments reflect inclusivity and a vision that carries everyone forward,” Modi said.
Modi lauded Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami for implementing progressive policies, including the Uniform Civil Code, anti-conversion, and anti-riot legislation. He criticized past obstacles posed by opposition parties and emphasized that the current administration has overcome hurdles to ensure steady progress. Efforts to prevent land encroachments and protect Uttarakhand’s demographic identity were also highlighted.
Emphasizing Uttarakhand’s cultural and spiritual significance, Modi envisioned the state as a global spiritual hub. Linking temples, ashrams, meditation, and yoga centers to international tourism, he advocated a comprehensive package integrating yoga, Ayurveda, naturopathy, and homestays.
He also spotlighted Uttarakhand’s winter tourism potential, citing the Pithoragarh high-altitude marathon and the Adi Kailash Parikrama Run as examples of growing popularity. Pilgrimage tourism has also soared, with over 17 lakh devotees visiting Kedarnath Dham in the last season. Modi further noted the state’s emerging reputation as a film and wedding destination, bolstered by a new film policy easing shooting logistics.
The Prime Minister inaugurated projects worth over Rs 8,140 crore and released Rs 62 crore under the PM Fasal Bima Yojana to more than 28,000 farmers. Ongoing initiatives totaling Rs 2 lakh crore include the Rishikesh-Karnprayag railway, Delhi-Dehradun highway, and ropeway projects at Kedarnath and Hemkund Sahib. Modi also emphasized promoting fruit cultivation, including blueberries, kiwis, and medicinal plants, as a sustainable future for hill agriculture.
Celebrating local produce, Modi congratulated the state for securing GI tags for 15 agricultural products, highlighting the Bedu fruit and Badri cow ghee as symbols of Uttarakhand’s unique identity and pride. “Products from Uttarakhand now carry its identity wherever they go,” he remarked.
Prime Minister Modi’s address underscored Uttarakhand’s remarkable journey over 25 years, attributing its achievements to strong governance, cultural pride, and the resilience of its people. With ongoing projects and a vision for spiritual, educational, and economic growth, Modi declared that the state is entering a new era one defined by development, prosperity, and global recognition.