CM Dhami launches NKB Times in Haldwani, cites Ram ideals
Synopsis
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami launched NKB Times in Haldwani on 2 November 2026, urging impartial and responsible journalism. He invoked the 'Sabke Ram' concept to stress cultural unity, referencing the 2024 Ayodhya Ram Mandir consecration as a national milestone.
Key Takeaways
NKB Times was formally launched by CM Pushkar Singh Dhami at Vintage Green, Rampur Road, Haldwani on 2 November 2026 .
Dhami called for 'impartial, positive, and responsible journalism' as essential to a healthy democracy.
He described journalism as a vehicle for voicing the grievances of society's most marginalised citizens to the government.
The CM invoked the 'Sabke Ram' concept, arguing Lord Ram's ideals transcend religion and inspire all humanity.
He referenced PM Narendra Modi's remarks at the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha on 22 January 2024 in Ayodhya.
The event was attended by senior ministers, MLAs, NKB Times directors, and top district and police officials.
A new media voice for Uttarakhand went live on Monday, 2 November 2026, when Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami formally launched NKB Times at Vintage Green on Rampur Road, Haldwani — calling on the outlet to champion the kind of journalism that carries the last person's problem straight to the doors of power.
What Dhami asked of NKB Times
Speaking at the launch, CM Dhami struck a clear editorial note: 'निष्पक्ष, सकारात्मक और जिम्मेदार पत्रकारिता' — impartial, positive, and responsible journalism — is indispensable to a healthy democracy. He framed journalism not as a profession but as a civic function: a powerful channel to awaken society and route public grievances to governance. 'Journalists play a vital role in highlighting the problems of the person standing at the last rung of society and steering those problems toward a solution,' he said.
He expressed confidence that NKB Times would prioritise issues of public concern while upholding journalism's foundational values, adding that collective support is essential to carry responsible journalism to every citizen.
The 'Sabke Ram' thread in a media launch
In a move characteristic of BJP-led Uttarakhand government events, Dhami wove a cultural strand into the inauguration address. Invoking the concept of 'सबके राम' — 'Ram for all' — he argued that Lord Shri Ram is not confined to any single religion, caste, or class, but is a source of inspiration for all of humanity. Ram's life, he said, teaches renunciation, restraint, courage, cooperation, dignity, and devotion to duty.
Dhami recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha ceremony in Ayodhya on 22 January 2024, described Lord Ram as a symbol of energy, resolution, and eternity. The CM drew a direct line from that national milestone to a local message: faith and tradition associated with Ram, stretching from Ayodhya to Rameshwaram, reinforce the country's cultural unity. The 'Sabke Ram' spirit, he said, is an invitation to connect society, build mutual respect, and embrace human values.
Shri Naman Krishna Maharaj also addressed the gathering, sharing reflections on Lord Ram's life, ideals, and spiritual significance.
Who was in the room
The launch drew a cross-section of the state's political and administrative establishment. Cabinet Minister Ram Singh Kaira, MLA Dr Mohan Singh Bisht, and MLA Sarita Arya attended alongside former MLA Rajesh Shukla. On the administrative side, Kumaon Divisional Commissioner and CM Secretary Deepak Rawat, Inspector General of Police (Kumaon) Nivedita Kukruti, Nainital District Magistrate Lalit Mohan Rayal, and Nainital SSP Dr Manjunath T.C. were present. The directors of NKB Times — Aditya Sisaudia, Siddharth Sisaudia, Ashutosh Singh, and Ganesh Joshi — received the Chief Minister's best wishes for the road ahead.
A regional media outlet, a constitutional reminder about responsible journalism, and a cultural invocation bound by the theme of unity — NKB Times enters a crowded space carrying a high-profile political blessing and an expectation to match it.
Point of View
Solution-oriented public discourse rather than adversarial watchdogs. Dhami's insertion of the 'Sabke Ram' narrative at what is ostensibly a press event reflects a broader strategy of embedding cultural-unity messaging into routine government appearances. The explicit callback to the January 2024 Ayodhya consecration signals that the Ram Mandir remains an active reference point in state-level political communication nearly two years after the event. Whether NKB Times will exercise the editorial independence Dhami verbally endorsed — or lean into the proximity its high-profile launch implies — will be the real test of the occasion's stated values.
NationPress
2 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is NKB Times and where was it launched?
NKB Times is a new media outlet launched in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, at Vintage Green on Rampur Road. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated it on 2 November 2026.
What did CM Dhami say about journalism at the NKB Times launch?
CM Dhami said impartial, positive, and responsible journalism is essential for a healthy democracy. He described journalists as critical voices who highlight the problems of society's most marginalised people and carry them to the government.
What is the 'Sabke Ram' concept Dhami mentioned?
'Sabke Ram' — 'Ram for all' — is the idea that Lord Ram's ideals are not limited to any single religion or caste but are an inspiration for all of humanity, promoting unity, mutual respect, and human values.
Why did Dhami reference the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha at a media launch?
Dhami cited PM Modi's words at the 22 January 2024 Ayodhya consecration — describing Lord Ram as a symbol of energy, resolution, and eternity — to reinforce the theme of cultural unity that ran through his address.
Who are the directors of NKB Times?
NKB Times is directed by Aditya Sisaudia, Siddharth Sisaudia, Ashutosh Singh, and Ganesh Joshi, all of whom were present at the Haldwani launch event.
