Cong launches state-wide Silver Jubilee celebrations
Garhwal Post Bureau
DEHRADUN, 1 Nov: Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) has announced a grand fortnight-long celebration to mark the Silver Jubilee of Uttarakhand’s formation, commemorating 25 years of statehood with a series of events across the state from November 1 to 14. Acting on the call of Pradesh Congress President Karan Mahara, the party launched the Silver Jubilee functions on Saturday paying homage to the martyrs of the statehood movement and reaffirmed its commitment to realising their aspirations. Top Congress leaders including PCC Chief Karan Mahara, former Chief Minister Harish Rawat and the leader of the Opposition Yashpal Arya were among those present on this occasion and they addressed the party workers on the occasion.
The inaugural ceremony began at Congress Bhawan here on Saturday with the party leaders and workers, led by Karan Mahara, laying wreaths at the Martyrs’ Memorial at Dehradun Collectorate. The tribute event witnessed the presence of Leader of Opposition Yashpal Arya, former Chief Minister Harish Rawat, former Pradesh President Pritam Singh, Pradesh General Secretary and Programme Coordinator Rajendra Shah, alongside senior leaders and a large gathering of Congress workers. The proceedings were conducted by Rajendra Shah, who also serves as a senior activist and the event’s coordinator.
Addressing the gathering, Karan Mahara offered salutations to the martyrs who laid down their lives for the creation of Uttarakhand. He stated that the dream of a separate state was fulfilled through the supreme sacrifices of these heroes, describing Uttarakhand as the legacy of those who gave everything for its formation. He emphasised that the people of Uttarakhand deeply honour this sacrifice and highlighted the pivotal contributions of women, students, and youth in the movement. Mahara also recalled the decisive role played by the martyrs of the Mussoorie, Khatima, and Muzaffarnagar firing incidents, and underscored the collective effort of all sections of society, physical, mental, and financial, in nurturing the statehood movement.
Leader of Opposition, Yashpal Arya, in his address, stated that the Congress bore the brunt of sacrifices during the Mussoorie and Khatima incidents. He also reminded the audience of Jawaharlal Nehru’s 1931 visit to Srinagar in Kashmir, where he supposedly advocated for the creation of smaller states. Arya also mentioned the ‘achievements’ of the first elected Congress government under Chief Minister Narayan Dutt Tiwari, which laid the administrative foundation for development, expanding the annual plan from Rs 900 crore to Rs 5,000 crore. He credited the Congress regime with establishing industrial zones that generated employment for the youth, completing key hydroelectric projects like Tehri Dam, Maneri Bhali, and Dhauliganga, and initiating LT teacher recruitment to revive the education system. He also noted the establishment of industries in Haridwar, Udham Singh Nagar, Kashipur, and Dehradun during Congress rule.
Former Chief Minister Harish Rawat reflected on the journey of Uttarakhand over the past 25 years, acknowledging both progress and persistent challenges. He stressed the need to secure the future of women and youth, and to alleviate their burdens. Rawat reiterated Narayan Dutt Tiwari’s legacy as a a ‘Vikas Purush’ and credited Tiwari government with expanding the annual plan, promoting industrial growth, and achieving power self-sufficiency through major hydroelectric projects. He also highlighted reforms in education, the revival of hill agriculture through bonus incentives for farmers, and the global recognition of Uttarakhand’s culture through festivals like Harela during his own term as the CM. Rawat further recalled the Congress government’s effective management of the 2013 natural disaster.
Senior party leader Pritam Singh criticised the BJP for ‘attempting to claim credit for the state’s formation’, arguing that any central government at the time would have had to concede to the demand for Uttarakhand. He pointed out that Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, formed alongside Uttarakhand, were granted permanent capitals immediately, whereas Uttarakhand still awaits one. Singh recalled that the Congress government under Harish Rawat constructed the Assembly building in Gairsain and convened a session there in November 2015, passing a resolution to hold the 2017 budget session in Gairsain. He accused the BJP of misleading the public on the issue of the capital ever since.
The cultural segment of the event also featured folk singer Satish Dhaulakhandi, who moved the audience with “Ladna hai bhai yeh lambi ladai hai” (Brother, this is a long fight), while Jaideep Saklani performed a satirical piece on migration. Dedicated to the Congress, the songs called for the full realisation of the statehood vision upon the party’s return to power in 2027.
Concluding the event, Programme Coordinator Rajendra Shah expressed gratitude to the senior leaders and assured that the Congress would earnestly work to address the issues raised through the folk performances.
Among those present included MLA Vikram Negi, General Secretaries Naveen Joshi, Harikrishna Bhatt, Sanjay Sharma, Neenu Sehgal, Virendra Pokhriyal, Mohan Khatri, Spokesperson Pratima Singh, Sunit Singh Rathore, Mahanagar President Jasvinder Singh Gogi, former MLA Rajkumar, former Mahanagar President Lalchand Sharma, Shishpal Bisht, Corporators Sangeeta Gupta, Amit Bhandari, Monika Chaudhary, Manavendra Singh, Mahesh Joshi, Sumitra Dhyani, Satya Pokhriyal, Deep Bohra, Ramlal Khanduri, Ex-Servicemen Department President Colonel Ram Ratan Negi, Gopal Gadia, Balvir Singh, Madan Lal and Anurag Gupta.
