Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday extended greetings to the people of the state on its Foundation Day, paying deep tribute to the activists who sacrificed everything to bring Uttarakhand into existence and reaffirming his government's commitment to building a developed, inclusive state for future generations.

A State Born from a People's Movement

Uttarakhand, widely revered as Devbhoomi — the land of gods — was carved out of Uttar Pradesh on 9 November 2000, becoming the 27th state of India. The Foundation Day marks 26 years since that milestone, standing as a testament to the decades-long popular movement that preceded it.

Taking to X, Chief Minister Dhami wrote: 'On the sacred occasion of Uttarakhand Statehood Day, I bow in deepest reverence to all the immortal statehood movement activists who sacrificed everything for the creation of the state, and extend my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all the people of the state.'

Vajpayee's Role in Uttarakhand's Creation

CM Dhami specifically credited former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna awardee Atal Bihari Vajpayee for bringing Uttarakhand into being, citing his 'visionary leadership, compassionate outlook and firm political will' as the driving force behind the state's formation. Vajpayee's government granted Uttarakhand statehood as part of a broader reorganisation of Uttar Pradesh.

26 Years of Progress and Identity

Reflecting on the state's journey since 2000, Dhami highlighted Uttarakhand's growing national and international profile, anchored in its 'rich cultural heritage, spiritual consciousness, natural wealth and human potential.' He noted that the state had charted a 'distinctive path of development amid numerous challenges and opportunities' over the past 26 years.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Dhami said, his government is working to harmonise development with heritage, ensuring that progress reaches 'even those at the farthest margins of society.'

Government's Priorities Going Forward

CM Dhami outlined a multi-pronged development agenda: expanding opportunities for youth, promoting women's self-reliance, ensuring farmers' prosperity, and opening new livelihood avenues in border areas. He emphasised that the goal is not merely to expand basic amenities but to build an 'economically strong, socially inclusive, environmentally balanced and culturally rooted' Uttarakhand.

Dhami concluded by expressing confidence that through collective public participation, the government would fulfil the dreams of the statehood movement activists and realise a Viksit Uttarakhand for coming generations. With the state's silver jubilee now a year past, attention will turn to whether the development commitments outlined translate into measurable ground-level outcomes.