Monday, 11 NOVEMBER 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that the nine appeals made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his message on the occasion of Uttarakhand’s foundation day on Saturday will be made the mantra for development by the State government. He said that by expressing concern for the State’s languages and migration, PM Modi had displayed his attachment for Uttarakhand. The PM had made nine appeals during his address and five of these were addressed to the people of Uttarakhand while four were addressed to the pilgrims and tourists visiting the State. “The State government will make these appeals the basis for policies. The PM laid stress on conservation of Garhwali, Kumaoni, Jaunsari and all other languages of the State while also appealing to the people to retain their connection with the village and conserving the homes made in the traditional style. This clearly shows that the PM has special affection for Uttarakhand. The State government will work with public cooperation on all the appeals made by the PM,” Dhami said.
He further said that the State government is already providing special incentives in the production of films made in the State’s regional languages for their conservation. The government is also providing assistance for various fairs in order to encourage the folk culture with traditional festivals like Igas and Harela being celebrated elaborately with enthusiasm, he said. The CM pointed out that in order to encourage the traditional building style, the government is encouraging the people to restore their traditional homes and register them as homestays. The government also started organising the Pravasi Uttarakhandi Sammelan this year in order to strengthen the connection of migrant Uttarakhandis with the State. With the PM’s address, all these initiatives will receive an impetus, he added. Modi had also appealed for plantation under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam initiative. The State government will further boost this campaign. Dhami said that considerable plantation was carried out during Harela which is expected to increase the green cover in the State. Similarly, the government will start an elaborate campaign on the PM’s appeal for maintaining the cleanliness of natural sources of water.
Dhami recalled that the PM had also spoken to tourists on the dangers of single-use plastic in the mountains. The State government has already made concrete arrangements for plastic waste disposal in the Char Dham while the efforts to collect plastic waste using QR code on the Yatra routes is also bearing fruit. The PM’s appeal will raise awareness among tourists. Further, stalls of women self help groups are being set up on the Yatra circuit in accordance with his appeal to tourists to maximise purchase of local products. Dhami also appealed to the travellers to observe traffic rules for safe travel in the mountains while also maintaining the sanctity of the pilgrimage centres.
