Lucknow

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday said that the completion of 25 years of Uttarayani Kauthig in Lucknow coincides with 25 years of the formation of Uttarakhand, calling it a moment of pride for the state.

Extending greetings on the occasion of Makar Sankranti, the Chief Minister said that various stalls showcasing Uttarakhand’s traditional products have been set up at the event, providing a valuable platform for local producers and artisans.

Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Dhami said the state government has launched the Winter Yatra in Uttarkashi. “Today I visited Uttarkashi and participated in the conclave inaugurated there. Ghughutiya (Ghughuti Utsav) is an ancient festival of Uttarakhand, and the Uttarakhandi community here has made excellent arrangements to celebrate it,” he said.

He noted that women were dressed in traditional attire while men wore the Uttarakhandi cap, which gained global recognition after Prime Minister Modi wore it in 2022. “From Birmingham to Abu Dhabi and many other countries, people are proudly seen wearing this cap,” Dhami said.

Emphasising cultural roots, the Chief Minister said that irrespective of where people live, their bond with language, culture and traditions remains unbreakable. He added that exhibitions at Kauthig not only provide financial support to producers but also create opportunities for their growth.

Dhami said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was scheduled to attend the programme but would join on another occasion. Recalling his association with the city, he said he shares a deep emotional bond with Lucknow, where he pursued his education and learned his responsibilities towards society and the nation.

Highlighting India’s development under Prime Minister Modi, Dhami said projects such as the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor and the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya reflect the Prime Minister’s firm resolve. “Today, the world views India not only as a major economy but also as a leading nation,” he said.

He further said that under a special mission, renovation work is underway at several temples across Uttarakhand. He added that Prime Minister Modi had participated in the Winter Yatra last year and also highlighted it during his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme.

Stating that efforts are being made to enhance the state’s spiritual and tourism potential, Dhami said Devbhoomi Uttarakhand is emerging as one of the world’s preferred destinations, with film shoots taking place across the state. “Wherever one goes in Uttarakhand, a new destination can be found,” he added.

Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated a three-day Winter Tourism Conclave aimed at promoting the winter Char Dham Yatra, boosting tourism activities and creating year-round employment opportunities for local communities.

The conclave brought together 50 tour operators from across the country in collaboration with the Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India (ADTOI), along with 50 state-level and 50 local tour operators. Representatives from hotel associations of Uttarkashi and Barkot, trekking organisations from Uttarkashi and Sankri, and other stakeholders also participated.

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As part of the conclave, tour operators will visit the winter abodes of Maa Ganga at Mukhba, Maa Yamuna at Kharsali, and the Kedarkantha trek base camp at Sankri, promoting winter tourism across the country.