Amit Shah, PM Modi wish Uttarakhand on Foundation Day 2026
Synopsis
On Uttarakhand's Foundation Day, Home Minister Amit Shah invoked the blessings of Baba Kedar while PM Modi celebrated the state's Char Dham identity and development journey — a coordinated outreach from the Centre that underscores Uttarakhand's political and cultural significance as it marks 26 years of statehood.
Key Takeaways
Uttarakhand Foundation Day is observed on 9 November each year, marking the state's formation in 2000 as India's 27th state .
Union Home Minister Amit Shah posted greetings on X , invoking the blessings of Baba Kedar and praising Uttarakhand's cultural and spiritual heritage.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the Char Dham pilgrimage circuit and credited the state's progress to its 'hardworking, talented and progressive people.' Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also extended greetings, acknowledging the state's tradition of valour and folk culture.
Uttarakhand, known as Devbhoomi , was carved out of Uttar Pradesh with Dehradun as its capital.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday, 9 November extended greetings to the people of Uttarakhand on the state's Foundation Day, wishing the hill state continued progress, good governance and prosperity. His message, posted on social media platform X in Hindi, highlighted Uttarakhand's cultural, spiritual and historical significance — echoing similar wishes from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath earlier in the day.
Shah's Message to Devbhoomi
In his post, Shah praised Uttarakhand's layered identity — its natural landscapes, spiritual heritage and folk traditions. 'Heartfelt wishes to the sisters and brothers of Uttarakhand on the state's Foundation Day. Uttarakhand, with its breathtaking natural beauty, rich spiritual heritage and vibrant folk culture, is also the cultural heart of our country,' he said.
Shah also acknowledged the contributions of the people of Devbhoomi — a popular name for the state meaning 'Land of the Gods' — to literature, art, culture and national service. He invoked the blessings of Baba Kedar, the presiding deity of Kedarnath, for the state's continued development. 'May the state continue to progress on the path of good governance and prosperity — this is the wish of Baba Kedar,' he said.
PM Modi's Greetings
Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted his Foundation Day message earlier on Monday, noting the state's 'divine land rich in spiritual consciousness and breathtaking natural beauty.' He drew attention to Uttarakhand's scenic mountain landscapes, sacred rivers and the holy Char Dham — the four pilgrimage sites of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath — as markers of its distinct identity.
Modi credited the state's development trajectory to the 'hardworking, talented and progressive people' of Uttarakhand, expressing confidence that the state would 'continue to advance rapidly on the path of progress.' He wished all residents happiness, peace and prosperity on the occasion.
Yogi Adityanath Also Extends Wishes
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also joined the chorus of greetings, praising Uttarakhand's natural beauty, rich folk culture, spiritual heritage and tradition of valour. The gesture carries added resonance given that Uttarakhand was carved out of Uttar Pradesh when the state was formed.
About Uttarakhand Foundation Day
Uttarakhand Foundation Day is observed every year on 9 November to mark the state's formal establishment in 2000, when it became the 27th state of India following a prolonged popular demand for a separate hill state. Prior to that, the region was an administrative part of Uttar Pradesh, with Dehradun subsequently designated as its capital.
Situated in the Himalayan region, Uttarakhand is recognised nationally for its pilgrimage destinations, biodiversity and cultural traditions. As the state marks another Foundation Day, all three leaders' messages reflect a shared emphasis on governance, development and the state's constitutional and spiritual identity.
Point of View
But the coordinated messaging around 'good governance and prosperity' is not without political subtext — Uttarakhand is a BJP-governed state approaching its next electoral cycle, and the Centre's consistent invocation of Devbhoomi's spiritual identity reinforces a cultural narrative as much as a developmental one. The reference to Baba Kedar by Shah is particularly pointed, given the Centre's high-profile investment in the Kedarnath reconstruction project. What is conspicuously absent from both messages is any reference to specific development metrics, scheme outcomes or infrastructure milestones — keeping the tone aspirational rather than accountable.
NationPress
9 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Uttarakhand Foundation Day and why is it celebrated?
Uttarakhand Foundation Day is celebrated on 9 November every year to commemorate the state's formation in 2000, when it was carved out of Uttar Pradesh to become India's 27th state. The day marks the culmination of a long popular movement for a separate hill state in the Himalayan region.
What did Home Minister Amit Shah say on Uttarakhand Foundation Day?
Shah posted greetings on X in Hindi, calling Uttarakhand 'the cultural heart of our country' and praising its natural beauty, spiritual heritage and folk culture. He invoked the blessings of Baba Kedar, expressing hope that the state would continue on the path of good governance and prosperity.
What did PM Modi say about Uttarakhand on Foundation Day?
PM Modi described Uttarakhand as a 'divine land rich in spiritual consciousness and breathtaking natural beauty,' highlighting the Char Dham pilgrimage circuit and the contributions of the state's people to its development. He expressed confidence that the state would continue to advance rapidly.
What is the Char Dham mentioned in connection with Uttarakhand?
The Char Dham refers to four prominent Hindu pilgrimage sites located in Uttarakhand — Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. These sites are a central part of the state's religious and cultural identity, and the term 'Devbhoomi' (Land of the Gods) is widely associated with their presence in the state.
Which state was Uttarakhand carved out of, and what is its capital?
Uttarakhand was carved out of Uttar Pradesh in 2000, becoming India's 27th state. Dehradun serves as its capital. The state is situated in the Himalayan region and is widely known for its pilgrimage destinations, biodiversity and scenic mountain landscapes.
