Gov, CM address Ceremonial Parade in Doon
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 7 Nov: The Silver Jubilee of Uttarakhand’s State Formation Day was celebrated with grandeur and patriotic fervour at the Police Lines in Race Course here today. On this occasion Governor Lt Gen Gurmit Singh (Retd) and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami led the celebrations. They inspected the ceremonial parade and honoured the persons who have brought pride to the state through their contributions in various fields.
The event began with the rendition of the National Song, ‘Vande Mataram’, marking its 150th anniversary, after which the Governor inspected the parade and took the salute.
On this occasion, the Governor and the CM jointly released the Uttarakhand Police Patrika-2025 and also unveiled the emblem of the Silver Jubilee Medal. The Police Department displayed an impressive show of discipline and valour, with the daring stunts of the motorcycle contingent drawing loud applause from the gathering. The Governor also conferred the President’s Police Medal and the Police Medal upon officers for their distinguished and meritorious services.
It was followed by presentation of the Uttarakhand Gaurav Samman for 2025 to eminent personalities and contributors to the State’s progress. The recipients included shooter Padma Shri awardee Jaspal Rana, and entrepreneur and social worker Dev Raturi. Posthumously honoured were actor and writer Tom Alter (on whose behalf his son and actor Jamie Alter received the award), statehood agitationists Sushila Baluni, Chipko Movement leader Gaura Devi, geologist Khadag Singh Valdiya, warrior Teelu Rauteli, and writer Shailesh Matiyani. Family members of the deceased awardees received the honours on their behalf.
Among the police officials who were honoured on the occasion with the Meritorious Service Medal for their commendable service included IG, Kumaon, Ridhim Aggarwal, Dehradun SSP Ajai Singh, IPS officers Shweta Chaubey and Sarita Dobhal.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the Governor extended warm congratulations on the completion of 25 glorious years of Uttarakhand’s formation. He described the occasion as one of immense pride and joy. Paying homage to the martyrs, agitationists and the leaders who had participated in the struggle for statehood, he said their sacrifices continue to inspire every citizen. Drawing a parallel between the spirit of Swadeshi during the freedom struggle and the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the Governor urged citizens to promote locally made products that reflect the hard work of the State’s youth, terming this the mantra for self-reliant Uttarakhand and India.
Encouraging the youth to take the lead in innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship, Singh said that their energy would shape the vision of Viksit Uttarakhand, Viksit Bharat 2047. Singh also expressed confidence that Uttarakhand would soon emerge as the finest State in the country, where development coexists harmoniously with nature, culture, and modernity. Commending the Uttarakhand Police, the governor observed that the force had carved a distinct identity through its professionalism, discipline, and community outreach. He lauded their efforts to eradicate drug abuse and enhance cyber security through specially trained cyber commandos, besides strengthening community policing initiatives that have deepened trust between the public and the police.
The Governor further reflected on Uttarakhand’s remarkable journey of development over the past 25 years and noted that the State had made rapid strides in education, health, tourism, industry, agriculture, technology, and environmental protection. He said Uttarakhand was now transforming from being known solely for the Char Dham Yatra to a global destination for wellness, weddings, films, yoga, and Ayurveda. He lauded the increasing trend of youth returning to their villages and contributing to self-sufficiency and local enterprise. From self-help groups to start-ups, women of Uttarakhand, he said, were scripting a new chapter of empowerment and success.
The CM, while addressing the gathering, saluted the soldiers and martyrs who had laid down their lives for the nation and for the cause of statehood. Remembering former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee, he said Uttarakhand’s creation and its early growth were shaped under his leadership and vision. The CM noted that the State has overcome numerous challenges since its inception and has now established itself as one of the most progressive and resilient States in the country. Despite natural disasters and geographical hurdles, he said, the Uttarakhand Police has consistently upheld law and order and served the people with dedication, standing like the silent guardians of the State’s soul.
Dhami reminded that Uttarakhand had achieved the fifth position in the country in the disposal of the cases related to crimes against women and under the POCSO Act, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs. He stressed the need to enhance technological capacity to combat cyber-crimes effectively and called for turning the vision of a ‘Drugs-Free Uttarakhand’ into a people’s movement. Underlining the achievements of his government under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the CM reminded that Uttarakhand has secured the first position nationally in increasing farmers’ income and recorded a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 12.69 per cent, four times the national average. The State, he added, had emerged as a leader in generating employment for youth, with four of its villages, namely Jakhol, Harshil, Gunji, and Supi, receiving the Best Tourism Village Award and Uttarakhand itself honoured as the Most Film Friendly State at the National Film Awards.
Dhami also reiterated the government’s commitment to balanced and inclusive growth, preserving Uttarakhand’s cultural heritage while accelerating development.
Among those present on the occasion included Rajya Sabha Member Naresh Bansal, MLAs Premchand Aggarwal, Khajan Das, and Durgeshwar Lal, Mayor of Dehradun Saurabh Thapliyal, Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan, Director General of Police, Deepam Seth, ADG Abhinav Kumar and senior officials from the administration and police besides various other dignitaries.
