Monday, 15 August 2022 | PNS | Dehradun
The Uttarakhand governor lieutenant general (retd) Gurmit Singh and chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami have greeted the citizens on the occasion of Independence Day.
In his message on the eve of the occasion, the governor appealed to the people of Uttarakhand to make a resolve to work together for the progress of the State and nation while using innovation and efficiency for better health, education and new opportunities for employment. Remembering freedom fighters and gallantry award winners, Singh said that those who had made the supreme sacrifice for the freedom and security of the nation will never be forgotten. “On the occasion of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the enthusiasm among all Indians for nation building, character building and security of the nation is evident across the country which is unique in itself,” he said. The governor further said that especially during the Covid-19 pandemic the nation had set an example of self-reliant India in front of the global community. He appreciated the progress of Uttarakhand on the developmental path despite the difficult geographical terrain and other challenges. He also referred to the works being undertaken by the State government for development in various spheres.
In his message, chief minister Dhami greeted the citizens on the 75th anniversary of independence. Paying tributes to freedom fighters and martyrs he said that it was due to their sacrifices that the nation is celebrating Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav today. He also paid homage to the martyrs and activists of the Statehood movement. The CM recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has special affection for Uttarakhand. In the past eight years, the Central government has approved various projects worth more than Rs 1.50 lakh crore. He said, “The Kedarnath reconstruction project is the best example of PM Modi’s vision, leadership and resolve. Work is also underway on the Badrinath master plan while work on the Rishikesh-Karnprayag rail project is also progressing at a swift pace. The Government of India has also granted its approval for survey work for the Tanakpur-Bageshwar rail line and Doiwala to Gangotri-Yamunotri rail line. Considerable work has been done on the Char Dham all weather road project to enhance road connectivity. Construction of the Delhi-Dehradun elevated road will shorten the travel time between Delhi and Dehradun to two hours.”
Dhami further said that the Dehradun airport is being developed to international standards while a greenfield airport is being developed in Udham Singh Nagar. Regarding the Jal Jeevan Mission, he said that more than seven lakh families in rural areas had been provided tap water connections. Further, the Rs 1,600 crore Uttarakhand urban water supply project will facilitate drinking water supply in 38 smaller towns in the State. Dhami also referred to other important infrastructural projects in the State and the benefit these will provide to the people of the State. For implementation of the National Education Policy -2020, Bal Vatikas have been started in 4,457 co-located Anganwadi centres. To encourage online education, a central studio has been set up in Dehradun while smart classes have been established in 500 schools of 13 districts.
“In the past years Uttarakhand has performed well in various spheres. We are among the leading States considering various social-economic indicators. In the sustainable development goals index we have risen from the 10th position in 2018 to fourth position at present,” he said.
