A 11-foot idol of Lord Hanuman, unveiled to the chant of Vedic mantras, and hundreds of young runners taking to the streets of Banbasa, Champawat — Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami packed a Sunday evening with symbolism, civic ritual, and a sharp governance message on 18 October 2026. The twin events in this border district of Uttarakhand put drug abuse and youth empowerment squarely at the centre of the state government's outreach calendar.

Banbasa's 'Nashamukti Sadbhavana Daur' — a run against addiction

CM Dhami flagged off the 'Nashamukti Sadbhavana Daur' (Drug-Free Goodwill Run), waving the green flag for boys' and girls' races, in pursuit of the state's declared goal of making Uttarakhand a nashamukta Devbhoomi — a drug-free sacred land. Addressing the gathering, he urged young participants to stay away from the harmful effects of narcotics, adopt a healthy lifestyle, and take an active role in building a drug-free society. The border belt of Champawat, which shares a boundary with Nepal, has historically been flagged as a sensitive zone for narcotics movement, making the symbolic choice of venue pointed rather than incidental.

An 11-foot Hanuman idol and the renaming of Patni Tiraha

Immediately after the run, the Chief Minister performed puja-archana with full Vedic rites at Patni Tiraha and unveiled an approximately 11-foot-tall statue of Lord Hanuman. He also participated in the Sundarkand recitation held on the occasion, as devotional bhajans by the Jai Shri Ram Kirtan Mandal filled the venue. Dhami then announced the renaming of Patni Tiraha to 'Hanuman Chowk' — a decision that will give the intersection a permanent religious identity. He extended greetings to the people of the state on Navratri and Dussehra, invoking blessings from Maa Bhagwati, Lord Shri Ram, and Lord Hanuman for the happiness, prosperity, and welfare of all.

Women's participation, soldiers' welfare, and 33,000 government jobs

Dhami used the occasion to articulate several planks of his government's agenda. He praised Matrishakti — women's power — saying women's participation is a vital foundation of the state's progress, and reaffirmed the ground-level implementation of 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao'. Describing Uttarakhand as not only Devbhoomi (land of gods) but also Veerbhoomi and Sainya-bhoomi (land of warriors and soldiers), he reiterated the state government's commitment to the welfare of soldiers and their families — a resonant note in a state that contributes disproportionately to the Indian armed forces.

On the governance front, Dhami cited two headline achievements: a strict anti-encroachment drive that has freed hundreds of acres of government and public land, and a tough anti-copying law in recruitment examinations that has, he said, delivered transparency and resulted in more than 33,000 young people receiving government jobs on merit. He also reiterated that the state government is working continuously to realise Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Viksit Bharat'.

Senior officials and local dignitaries at Banbasa

The event drew a significant official presence. Among those present were Hema Joshi and Kiran Devi (BJP functionaries), BJP District In-charge Gunjan Sukhija, District Magistrate Manish Kumar, Superintendent of Police Rekha Yadav, CDO Ajay Singh, and SDM Purnagiri Pramod Kumar, along with elected representatives, departmental officers, and a large number of local residents. The Chief Minister concluded the programme by distributing prasad among the devotees, personally interacting with people, and seeking blessings from the elderly.

From an 11-foot idol to 33,000 job letters, Dhami's Banbasa visit sent a message that runs deeper than ceremony — a border district, a drug-free pledge, and a government determined to be seen delivering.