Dehradun–Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday emphasized the need for heightened public awareness and cooperation in the state’s ongoing efforts to curb forced religious conversions, demographic imbalances, and illegal land encroachments.
Speaking at the Uttarakhand @2047 ‘Samuhik Samvad – With Ex-Servicemen’ programme held at Garhi Cantt in Dehradun, CM Dhami reiterated his government’s commitment to protecting national integrity, supporting soldier welfare, and promoting environmental sustainability.
Addressing a large gathering of ex-servicemen, Dhami described key legislative moves—such as the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), enforcement of a strict anti-riot law, and crackdowns on unauthorized land occupations—as landmark achievements of his administration. However, he stressed that the long-term success of these measures relies heavily on community participation and public vigilance.
“As the son of a soldier, I have witnessed first-hand the hardships faced by servicemen and their families. Our government is working with empathy and determination to meet their needs,” he said. A dedicated training center for retired personnel is also being developed to support their reintegration and post-service livelihoods.
Uttarakhand, often referred to as Devbhoomi (Land of the Gods) and Veerbhoomi (Land of the Brave), has a rich tradition of military service, with nearly every family having ties to the Armed Forces. Dhami paid tribute to this legacy and urged veterans to serve as environmental stewards as well.
He encouraged participation in the nationwide Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam (A Tree in Mother’s Name) campaign initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and directed the state Forest Department to plant 1,000 trees in each forest division. “Wherever a soldier plants a tree, it is bound to flourish,” he remarked.
Highlighting the state’s progress, the Chief Minister shared that over 38 lakh tourists visited Uttarakhand in the past two months, driven by a growing interest in winter tourism and the Adi Kailash Yatra. He also reported a decline in the state’s unemployment rate to 4.2 per cent—below the national average—and announced that the duration of the Mansarovar Yatra has been shortened by seven days to enhance accessibility for pilgrims.
The event was attended by Cabinet Minister Ganesh Joshi, Lt Gen (Retd) A.K. Singh, Major Gen (Retd) K.S. Rana, K. Birendra Singh Rana, Brig. Nitesh Bisht, and a large number of veterans. The dialogue concluded with a shared pledge to build a stronger, more inclusive, and forward-looking Uttarakhand by 2047. (Source: IANS)
