Uttarakhand CM Dhami hails Mahakauthig as living showcase of state's culture, development vision

GAUTAM BUDH NAGAR: Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said cultural events like Mahakauthig play a crucial role in preserving the state's rich heritage while uniting Uttarakhandis living outside the hill state on a common platform.

Addressing the seven-day Mahakauthig organised by the Parvatiya Cultural Society at Noida Stadium in Gautam Buddh Nagar on Saturday, the Chief Minister said it was a matter of pride that people from Uttarakhand, even while residing outside the state, are keeping its folk culture, traditions and heritage alive. He described migrant Uttarakhandis associated with the society as "true brand ambassadors" of the state.Dhami said Mahakauthig is not merely a cultural programme but a vibrant platform that presents the soul of Uttarakhand in a living form. "Such events are playing a vital role in passing our folk traditions, art forms and cultural values to the younger generation," he said.The chief minister noted that the event has contributed significantly to giving national and international recognition to Uttarakhand's folk arts, traditional attire, handicrafts, organic products and hill produce.

Products such as pure ghee made from Badri cows, millets and other traditional organic hill products are receiving better markets and due respect through such platforms, he added. Uttarakhand's folk songs and dances, he said, beautifully reflect the state's rich cultural consciousness.Highlighting the state's achievements, Dhami said Uttarakhand has secured first place in the country in increasing farmers' income and has also received a national award for best performance in fisheries development.

In the NITI Aayog's SDG Index Report, the state ranked first in achieving Sustainable Development Goals. Uttarakhand has also been placed in the Achievers category for Ease of Doing Business and the Leaders category in Startup Rankings.The chief minister asserted that the state government is fully committed to preserving the cultural and social unity of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand. He said strict laws have been enacted and are being effectively implemented to prevent religious conversion, divisive ideologies and encroachments on government land.Dhami said major infrastructure projects, including the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway, All-Weather Road, Rishikesh-Karnaprayag rail line and Bharatmala and Parvatmala schemes, are progressing rapidly. Initiatives such as the House of Himalayas brand, One District-Two Products scheme, new Tourism and Film Policies, and "Wed in Uttarakhand" are strengthening the state's economy.Thanking the Parvatiya Cultural Society for organising Mahakauthig, the chief minister urged migrant Uttarakhandis to actively contribute to the state's development.