Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’
Nestled in the lap of the Himalayas where Gods themselves are said to reside lies my home state of Uttarakhand. A state known for its towering mountains, verdant valleys, meandering rivers and hill stations which light up the night sky, Uttarakhand attracts droves of people all year round to admire and revel in its beauty. There’s a reason why the hill station of Kausani was called ‘Switzerland of India’ by Mahatma Gandhi. However, as layers are peeled off, one realises that there is more to the state and its people than meets the eye.
Culturally, the region boasts of a richness and diversity partly due to the separation of the region into administrative units of Garhwal and Kumaon. The Garhwal and Kumaon regions are intertwined, the complementary nature of their cultures, economies, language and geography wove them into an immutable bond which only got consolidated with the Uttarakhand movement for statehood in the 1990s. An area that is a part of the Garhwal region geographically yet stands out for the novelty of its cultural practices is the Jaunsar-Bawar region. It’s inhabited by the predominant groups of Jaunsaris who live in the lower regions and Bawaris residing in the snow-clad upper region. Tracing their ethnic origins to the Pandavas and Kauravas respectively, the community has retained its original culture. Festive sports and folk dances like Barada Nati/Harul constitute an important aspect of their culture.
The state is also home to ethnic groups like Bhotias, Tharus, Bokshas and Rajis, while native languages of Garhwali and Kumaoni are widely spoken, Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi also find many speakers. Perhaps, amidst this thriving diversity under conditions of harmonious coexistence, it wouldn’t be entirely incorrect to allude that Uttarakhand is a microcosm of India.
The community’s festivals and fairs are simple yet imbued with cultural significance. Every season and agricultural periods are welcomed with songs and folk dances. Dances like Bhotia dance, Chhopati, Choliya, Jagar are performed on varied occasions. The Maha Kumbh festival held after every 12 years on the banks of the Ganga river in Haridwar attracts a huge footfall. The art and cultural imprint of the people finds manifestation in Garhwal school of painting, murals like Aipan, Rambans handicraft which uses jute and hemp to create art. Uttarakhand’s cuisine is highly nutritious while being adaptive to changing weather conditions. Thus, Til Laddoos or Mandua Rotis are relished in winters with Dubkas and Cholia Rotis being savored in the summer season.
The topography of the state creates ample opportunities for leveraging the tourism sector to power the economy of the state. At present, it contributes over 50% of total GSDP from 2006-7 to 2016-17. With its hill stations like Nainital, Mussoorie, pilgrimage sites like Char Dham and Hemkund Sahib, its wildlife and bird sanctuaries like Corbett which has largest tiger population among 50 tiger reserves, Rajaji National Park, UNESCO World Heritage site Nanda Devi National Park, the possibilities are unparalleled and multi-faceted. Taking cognisance of this, the state government in 2018 released the Uttarakhand Tourism Policy which envisages developing the state’s image as a safe, secure and friendly destination for tourists. Uttarakhand also boasts of all agro-geo climatic zones which provide commercial opportunities for floriculture and horticulture.
This vision of a promising state proactively utilising opportunities for growth hasn’t always been there. The journey to the present has been marked by struggles of our forefathers who, in their demands for a separate state for the mountainous region, sought crystallisation of a government which was more representative of the people whose voices it claimed to stand for, conceptualised a hill centric model of development while being responsive to foundational demands such as education, health, agriculture. The demand first found its articulation in 1923 in a letter addressed to the governor of Joint Province which entreated Uttarakhand to be recognised as a separate unit. The demand persisted henceforth, going in full swing in the 1990s. It was followed by consciousness-raising by leaders, mobilisations, protests and at times despicable acts of violence on part of state government. The state of Uttarakhand came into existence on November 9, 2000 when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the Prime Minister. Thus, on this historic occasion, what was once a dream for the hill people became a reality.
Presently, Uttarakhand is one of the fastest growing states. The state’s GSDP rose at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.34% between FY 12-18. The government has undertaken measures tailored to the state’s progress. Thus, the government seeks to develop Uttarakhand as an energy state to tap the hydropower electric potential of over 25,000 MW. The government has also undertaken measures to promote Uttarakhand as a major investment hub like the Investor Summit of October 2018, owing to which the state received Rs 17,246 crore investment and generated 45,000 jobs in various sectors. It finds resonance in the well laid out physical infrastructure with 39,000 kms of road network, two domestic airports, 345.23 kms of rail routes. Further, with the establishment of the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) earth station at Dehradun, Uttarakhand now offers high-speed connectivity. It finds an echo in Uttarakhand’s favorable comparative assessment with its more developed counterpart of HP with Uttarakhand performing better in terms of food production, length of roads constructed, electricity and number of tourists.
The considerable headway made by Uttarakhand warms my heart. The state’s committed citizenry and dedicated leadership deserve the approbation.
Despite being replete with picturesque locales, for me, Uttarakhand’s allure transcends its natural beauty. It lies in the grit and determination of the State’s people who’ve always stood for just causes be it active participation in the Chipko Movement or the unequivocal dedication to national service implied by a high level of enrollment in armed forces. It lies in the people’s assertion of their identity as Uttarakhand natives despite the ethnic and cultural diversity which characterizes this state. It lies in Uttarakhand being a site for spiritual fulfillment. It also finds a place in the art the populace creates and the nourishing delicacies of Buransh Juice, Mandwa and Jhangora.
In the everyday lives and simplicity lies the charm of my Uttarakhand.
(The writer is the Union Education Minister)
