Talking Points for the use of Hon’ble Vice-President of India at the Inaugural Programme of the Jagran Forum to commemorate completion of 25 years of formation of Uttarakhand

I touch and salute the holy feet of Bharat Mata – the Most Powerful and the Most Merciful.

Hon’ble Governor of Uttarakhand, Lieutenant General (retd.) Gurmit Singh Ji, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami Ji, Managing Editor, Dainik Jagran, Shri Tarun Gupta Ji, Director, Dainik Jagran, Shri Sunil Gupta Ji.

I am pleased to be here today at this forum to commemorate 25 years of the formation of Uttarakhand—a state that embodies the spirit of sacrifice, resilience and national service. This is my first visit to Devbhoomi Uttarakhand after assuming the office of Vice-President of India. I am extremely happy that this first visit is on this beautiful occasion of commemorating 25 years of Uttarakhand’s Statehood. I also commend Dainik Jagran for consistently providing a credible platform for national dialogue and for its commitment to democratic values, public awareness, and constructive debate. It was the vision and foresight of the respected Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayeeji which led to the creation of Uttarakhand on 09 November 2000. I personally feel deeply connected with the creation of the State of Uttarakhand as I was a Lok Sabha MP at that time and I had voted in favour of the Bill for creation of Uttarakhand.

The creation of Uttarakhand was not merely an administrative decision; it was a political and democratic response to the long-standing aspirations of the people of the hills. It reaffirmed the strength of India’s federal system one that listens to the voices of its citizens and adapts governance structures to serve them better. Devbhoomi Uttarakhand has always remained deeply connected with India’s spiritual and cultural consciousness. The Vedic hymns and the Puranas have aptly described this holy land as a divine land with great spiritual significance. Devbhoomi Uttarakhand reflects the essence of Satyam, Shivam, and Sundaram that is truth, spirituality, and beauty. The caves of the mighty Himalayas have traditionally served as serene and natural abodes for the meditation and spiritual enlightenment of sages and seers. With its glaciers and lakes, Holy Ganga sustains life in the form of water for the densely populated plains, while the large forest cover provides life-giving oxygen to all of us.

Under the visionary leadership of our Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji, Devbhoomi Uttarakhand has entered a new era of road, rail, air, and communication connectivity in the last decade. Initiatives such as the Char Dham All-Weather Road, the Rishikesh–Karnaprayag rail project, the Vibrant Villages programme, and infrastructure development in border and hilly regions have gone a long way to fulfil the aspirations of the people. While these projects embody the desire for development, they also demonstrate awareness of environmental concerns. Green development projects are now becoming a priority. With the support of the Central Government, the State’s initiatives in the field of solar energy are commendable. I also appreciate Uttarakhand for becoming the first State in the country to translate the concept of Gross Domestic Product into Gross Environmental Product.  Devbhoomi Uttarakhand also holds a place of immense strategic and cultural significance for the nation, as it shares a long and sensitive border with China and Nepal, making it a vital frontier state of India.

The border villages of Uttarakhand are not the last outposts of the country, but the first line of strength, heritage, and resilience. In this spirit, our Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modiji, aptly referred to Mana village as the “first village of India” rather than the last. This powerful statement of our Hon’ble Prime Minister reflects a transformative vision. This vision places border communities at the center of national pride, development, and security. This vision also reaffirms the commitment to inclusive growth, infrastructure development, and the well-being of those who safeguard India’s frontiers through their presence and perseverance. The next two decades will define India’s march towards becoming a Aatmanirbhar and Viksit Bharat by 2047. In this journey, Uttarakhand occupies a position of unique importance. The state has immense potential in renewable energy, organic agriculture, horticulture traditional knowledge systems, AYUSH, ecotourism, startups, and skill development.

Its local produce, handicrafts, and entrepreneurship when supported by innovation and market access can strengthen self-reliance while generating sustainable livelihoods. Initiatives like One District, One Product also have the potential to create a strong foundation for green development. I am sure that under the visionary leadership of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Shri Pushkar Singh Dhamiji, Uttarakhand will continue to touch new heights of prosperity and development. In a vibrant democracy like India, the media plays a vital role as the fourth pillar of democracy.  It acts as a bridge between the people and those in power, giving voice to citizens, shaping public opinion, and strengthening accountability and transparency in governance. I firmly believe that media has a great role in covering the stories of positive developments also to make the people aware of the progressive march of our great nation. I have read today’s Dainik Jagran and I was happy to see that stories of positive development were covered in the paper. I hope that through deliberations across various sessions of this Jagran Forum provides new ideas and innovations for the progressive march towards prosperity of the young Uttarakhand. I convey my best wishes for the success and meaningful contribution of this forum. I also once again extend my heartiest congratulations to the people of Uttarakhand on having completed 25 years of statehood and convey my best wishes for a prosperous, sustainable, and inclusive future. Jai Hind! Long Live Mother Bharat!