Amit Shah Greets Uttarakhand on Its 26th Foundation Day
Synopsis
Union Home Minister Amit Shah greeted the people of Uttarakhand on the state's 26th foundation day on 9 November 2026, calling it India's cultural heart and invoking Baba Kedar's blessings for good governance and prosperity.
Key Takeaways
Union Home Minister Amit Shah posted foundation-day greetings for Uttarakhand on 9 November 2026 .
Uttarakhand was established as India's 27th state on 9 November 2000 under the Uttar Pradesh Reorganisation Act.
Shah described the state as India's 'cultural heart,' citing its natural beauty, spiritual heritage and folk culture.
He acknowledged Uttarakhand residents' contributions to national service, literature, art and culture.
The message closed with a prayer to Baba Kedar (Kedarnath) for the state's continued progress on good governance and prosperity.
Twenty-six years after Uttarakhand was carved out of Uttar Pradesh and planted on the map of India, Union Home Minister Amit Shah marked the occasion with a heartfelt tribute to the hill state's people, invoking the blessings of Baba Kedar — the beloved Kedarnath — for the state's continued progress.
Posting on 9 November 2026, Shah extended warm wishes to the sisters and brothers of Uttarakhand on the state's foundation day, calling it the cultural heart of India. 'अद्भुत प्राकृतिक सौंदर्य, समृद्ध आध्यात्मिक विरासत और जीवंत लोकसंस्कृति से परिपूर्ण उत्तराखंड हमारे देश का सांस्कृतिक हृदय भी है' — ['Uttarakhand, full of extraordinary natural beauty, rich spiritual heritage and vibrant folk culture, is also the cultural heart of our country'] — he wrote.
Devbhoomi at 26: What Shah Said
Shah's message wove together three threads the state has long been identified with: the tradition of national service and dedication to the motherland, achievements in literature and art, and the deep spiritual identity that earns Uttarakhand the name Devbhoomi — the Land of the Gods. The post closed with a prayer to Baba Kedar, the Kedarnath deity, that the state continue to advance on the path of good governance and prosperity.
November 9 and the Making of a Mountain State
Uttarakhand was established as India's 27th state on 9 November 2000 under the Uttar Pradesh Reorganisation Act, fulfilling a decades-long demand by the hill communities of the region who sought a separate administrative identity. The Himalayan state stretches across the Garhwal and Kumaon divisions and is home to four of Hinduism's most sacred shrines — the Char Dham — drawing millions of pilgrims each year. Its terrain, its temples, and its soldiers have shaped a distinctive identity that national leaders regularly acknowledge on this anniversary.
Point of View
Most visibly through Prime Minister Modi's repeated visits to the shrine. The framing of Uttarakhand as the nation's 'cultural heart' also fits a broader BJP communication strategy that links Himalayan spirituality to mainstream national identity. For a state that has consistently returned the BJP to power since 2017, messaging of this kind reinforces emotional affiliation well ahead of any future electoral cycle.
NationPress
9 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Uttarakhand founded?
Uttarakhand was established as India's 27th state on 9 November 2000 under the Uttar Pradesh Reorganisation Act, separating the hill districts from Uttar Pradesh.
Why is Uttarakhand called Devbhoomi?
Uttarakhand is called Devbhoomi — Land of the Gods — because it is home to some of Hinduism's holiest sites, including the four Char Dham shrines: Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri.
What did Amit Shah say on Uttarakhand Foundation Day 2026?
Amit Shah called Uttarakhand India's cultural heart, praised its people's contributions to national service, literature and art, and invoked the blessings of Baba Kedar for good governance and prosperity.
How old is Uttarakhand in 2026?
Uttarakhand turns 26 years old in 2026, having been formed on 9 November 2000.
