PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Union minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju emphasised that the Himalayas are not just mountains but are a symbol of India’s strength, spirituality and identity. He said this at the Sparsh Himalaya Festival 2025, held to celebrate international literature, culture and arts. The festival was inaugurated on Monday and was dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the formation of the State of Uttarakhand, as well as the 25th anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s vision for a “Writers’ Village.”
As the chief guest, Rijiju expressed his delight in participating in the festival. Being from Arunachal Pradesh, he shared his emotional connection to the Himalayas. He praised the efforts made under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to enhance road connectivity and infrastructure in border areas such as Gunji. Rijiju said, “The beauty of India lies in its diversity. We may speak different languages and follow different traditions, but our values and vision bind us together.” He further added, “Our Constitution is the most beautiful contribution to democracy—a living symbol of our unity, compassion and collective spirit.”
Rijiju also commended former chief minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank for his remarkable work in transforming Lekhak Gaon into a hub of creativity, knowledge and Himalayan inspiration. Nishank welcomed the Union minister and dedicated the festival to 25 years of Uttarakhand and Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s vision. He said that the Lekhak Gaon initiative aims to develop villages into centres of creativity, culture and education.
Juna Peethadheeshwar Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Avadheshanand Giri also expressed his views on the occasion.
Further, Acharya Balkrishna from Patanjali welcomed Rijiju and highlighted Patanjali’s contributions to India’s ancient knowledge traditions, Ayurveda and the conservation of the Himalayan ecology.
Padma Shri recipient and president of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Guwahati Dr BKS Sanjay emphasised the importance of Himalayan traditions in promoting holistic health.
