Uttarakhand Day was celebrated on Sunday at the 44th India International Trade Fair (IITF) in New Delhi, where Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated as the chief guest. The event, held at the Uttarakhand Pavilion in Pragati Maidan, featured cultural performances by folk artists and showcased the state’s heritage, handloom, crafts, and local products. This year’s trade fair theme is “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat.”
Speaking at the event, the Chief Minister said the India International Trade Fair provides a global platform to promote Uttarakhand’s culture, handicrafts and rich traditions. He added that cultural evenings at the fair offer visitors a glimpse of the state’s vibrant folk heritage and living traditions.
He highlighted that on the occasion of Uttarakhand’s Silver Jubilee year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi encouraged states to develop traditional fairs and festivals through the “One District, One Festival” concept. Dhami said the initiative will help local fairs gain national and international recognition, boosting local products, crafts and tourism.
The Chief Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to making Uttarakhand a leading state in every sector. He said major improvements are being made in education, health, roads, sports, drinking water and air connectivity. He added that schemes such as ‘Vocal for Local’, ‘Make in India’ and ‘Startup India’ are strengthening the dream of a developed India and a developed Uttarakhand.
Dhami also mentioned ongoing work to enhance spiritual tourism by developing Kedarkhand and Manaskhand temple routes, reviving Yamunotri heritage sites, and building the Haridwar–Rishikesh and Sharda corridors.
He expressed pride in the global Uttarakhand community for preserving their cultural identity and highlighted the inauguration of “Uttarakhand Dharmashala Ashram” in Pushkar, Rajasthan, built by the local Uttarakhandi society.
The Chief Minister announced that during the state’s Silver Jubilee year, stall fees for local products at the Uttarakhand Pavilion will be waived. He appreciated artists, entrepreneurs and craftsmen for showcasing Uttarakhand’s products and culture at the fair. He said the pavilion has recorded sales of ₹1 crore so far and received orders worth ₹2.5 crore.
Dhami also said Uttarakhand is focusing on industrial development. Projects like the Delhi–Dehradun elevated road, Rishikesh–Karnaprayag rail line, Bharat Mala, Parvat Mala, AMRUT, All Weather Road and UDAN scheme are transforming the state’s infrastructure. He added that after the 2023 Global Investors Summit, the state received investment deals worth over ₹3.56 lakh crore, with nearly ₹1 lakh crore already moving towards implementation. Over 30 policy reforms have been made to boost industries, startups, MSMEs and logistics.
To strengthen local livelihood, the government is promoting traditional products through initiatives such as ‘One District, Two Products’, the ‘House of Himalayas’ brand, State Millet Mission, Apple Mission, new tourism and film policies, homestay promotion and solar self-employment schemes.
Dhami said Uttarakhand has received national-level recognition, securing first position in NITI Aayog’s 2023–24 Sustainable Development Index and being ranked in the Achievers category for Ease of Doing Business and the Leaders category for Startup Ranking.
The Chief Minister said the state is working to preserve its cultural identity by enforcing strict anti-conversion and anti-riot laws, running Operation Kalnemi against illegal activities, and removing over 10,000 acres of encroached government land. The state has also decided to abolish the Madrasa Board and will close all madrasas that do not follow the government curriculum after July 2026. The country’s strictest anti-cheating law has been implemented, helping over 26,000 youth secure government jobs, while more than 200 people involved in corruption have been sent to jail.
He appealed to people to adopt the message of “Use Swadeshi, Strengthen India” and support local artisans, farmers and entrepreneurs to strengthen the vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat. He added that the government is committed to making Uttarakhand one of the best states in the country and invited all migrant Uttarakhandis and investors to contribute to the state’s development.
The event was attended by MP Ranjana Shah, MP Naresh Bansal, former Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna, Handloom and Handicraft Development Council Vice Chairman Virendra Dutt Semwal, Media Advisory Committee Chairman Prof. Govind Singh, Industry Secretary Vinay Shankar, ITPO MD Neeraj Khairwal, Culture Secretary Yugal Kishore Pant, Industry DG Dr. Saurabh Gaharwar and Resident Commissioner Ajay Mishra.
