Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 3 Nov: Union Minister Kiren Rijiju graced the Sparsh Himalaya Mahotsav 2025 as the Chief Guest and lauded the ‘Lekhak Village’ initiative as a living example of India’s cultural, literary, and ecological revival in the Himalayas.
The Sparsh Himalaya Mahotsav 2025, themed “Antarashtriya Sahitya, Sanskriti evam Kala Mahotsav,” was celebrated with great enthusiasm in Uttarakhand, marking the inauguration of the Bhagwan Dhanvantri Idol, on Monday, dedicated to 25 years of Uttarakhand’s formation and 25 years of Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s vision of Lekhak Village.
Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju attended as the Chief Guest and was warmly received by Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’, former CM of Uttarakhand. Rijiju praised Dr Nishank’s remarkable work in transforming Lekhak Village into a centre of creativity, learning, and Himalayan inspiration.
In his address, Rijiju shared his joy at being part of the Mahotsav and spoke about his deep emotional connection with the Himalayas, being himself from Arunachal Pradesh. He said that the Himalayas are not merely mountains, but symbols of India’s strength, spirituality, and identity.
Reflecting on his extensive travels across the Himalayan states, Rijiju commended the Government of India’s efforts under Prime Minister Narendra Modi in expanding road connectivity and infrastructure in border regions like Gunji. He said that “India’s beauty lies in its diversity — we may speak different languages and follow different traditions, but we are united in our values and vision”. He added “Our Constitution is the most beautiful contribution to democracy — a living symbol of our unity, compassion, and collective spirit.”
During the event, Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ welcomed the Union Minister and dedicated the Mahotsav to 25 years of Uttarakhand and Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s vision of Village India. He stated that the ‘Lekhak Village’ initiative aims to make villages centres of creativity, culture, and education.
Acharya Balkrishna, CEO of Patanjali, spoke about Patanjali’s contribution to preserving India’s ancient knowledge systems, Ayurveda, and the Himalayan ecosystem, and extended a warm welcome to Rijiju. Prof Anil Sahasrabudhe, praised the concept of Lekhak Village, calling it an inspiring example of how the National Education Policy (NEP) can integrate traditional wisdom with modern learning.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof Somvir from Indonesia highlighted Rijiju’s role in promoting democratic and parliamentary dialogue at the international level, and commended India’s Swachhata Abhiyan. Padma Shri awardee Dr BK Sanjay, from AIIMS Guwahati, underlined the value of Himalayan practices in promoting holistic wellness. Swami Avdheshanand Giri Maharaj blessed the gathering and emphasised the importance of spirituality, service, and moral discipline in human life. Prof Prithvi Raj applauded Dr Nishank’s contribution to Himalayan and cultural development and presented a memento to him as a mark of respect and appreciation.
In his vote of thanks, Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ expressed heartfelt gratitude to Kiren Rijiju for his presence and insightful words that reflected the deep bond between the people and the Himalayas.
