Tag: Uttarakhand

President Murmu at Uttarakhand

President Murmu performs rudrabhishek at Uttarakhand Raj Bhavan temple

By LokMarg

President Droupadi Murmu, on the second day of her two-day visit to Uttarakhand, on Friday, performed a “rudrabhishek” at the Raj Pragyeshwar Mahadev Temple inside the Raj Bhavan here.

She also inaugurated the Nakshatra Vatika at the governor’s official residence.
Uttarakhand Governor Lieutenant General Gurmeet Singh (Retd.), his wife Gurmeet Kaur, along with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami were also present.

President Murmu on Friday is scheduled to address the valedictory function of the 97th Common Foundation Course at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie.

She will also attend the annual convocation ceremony of Doon University here in the state capital during the day.

On Thursday, after reaching the hill state, the President praised Uttarakhand for its immense possibilities for ‘nature tourism’, ‘adventure tourism’ as well as ‘medical tourism’.

She attended a civic reception hosted in her honour by the State Government here on Thursday evening.

President Murmu also virtually inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for various projects related to healthcare, power generation and supply, technical education and transport, on the occasion.

Chief Minister Dhami presented a shawl made from Kandali fibre to the President. She was also presented with a memento made of a mixture of Uttarakhand’s folk art style Thape and Aipan.

Addressing a gathering, the President said that the contribution of the land and the people of Uttarakhand to Mother India are immense.

“Uttarakhand is the source of many rivers that have irrigated and developed a large part of India. The Himalayas and Uttarakhand are embedded in the hearts and souls of Indians. Our sages have been taking shelter in the caves and caverns of the Himalayas in search of knowledge. This state has been a source of wellness, both in terms of spiritual peace and physical healing,” she said.

“The state has immense possibilities for ‘nature tourism’, ‘adventure tourism’ as well as ‘medical tourism’,” she said.

Remembering the contributions of brave soldiers of Uttarakhand in India’s defence, the President said that on behalf of the people of India, she would express her gratitude to the brave sons of Uttarakhand.

“The entire Himalayan land, including Uttarakhand, has been the centre of Shakti worship since time immemorial. A part of the same dignity and strength is found in the life stories of brave-woman like Rani Karnavati, forest conservators like Gaura Devi and like Bachendri Pal, the first woman to hoist the tricolour on Mount Everest,” said the President.

She was happy to note that the young daughters of Uttarakhand are also moving forward on the path of progress.

The President said that we are celebrating Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. It is our duty to remember the known and unknown freedom fighters. She recalled the contributions of Bishni Devi Shah, Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali, Dev Suman, Kesari Chand, Indramani Badoni and Govind Ballabh Pant.

She said that efforts should be made to acquaint the young generation of the entire country with the contribution of these personalities of Uttarakhand.

In the context of the younger generation, the President mentioned Lakshya Sen, who was conferred with the Arjuna Award and said that the 21-year-old Sen sets an ideal for the youth of the entire nation to aim towards achieving excellence in their respective fields.

The President said that she was happy to lay the foundation stones and inaugurate various projects related to healthcare, power generation and supply, technical education and transport.

She also appreciated the people of Uttarakhand and said that the hardworking and talented residents of the state have contributed significantly to its developmental journey. (ANI)

Read More: http://13.232.95.176/

Dhami Instructs Better Air Facilities

Dhami Instructs Better Air Facilities To Tourists

By LokMarg

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday instructed the officials to ensure better air facilities for tourists visiting the state.

Along with Jolly Grant Airport, the Chief Minister also asked to pay attention to arrangements for night landing at Pantnagar airport and the expansion and development of infrastructure facilities.
According to an official statement, the Chief Minister has asked to pay attention to ensuring effective arrangements for booking tickets and stopping the black marketing of tickets, in order to provide better air facilities to passengers and tourists during the Chardham Yatra.

While presiding over the eighth meeting of the Board of Directors of the Civil Aviation Development Authority at the Secretariat on Tuesday, the Chief Minister said that the people have to be motivated to come to Uttarakhand on the basis of better air facilities.

“Such an atmosphere has to be created so that coming to Uttarakhand becomes a habit of the people. Along with our identity as a friendly state, there is also a need for concerted efforts for the maximum promotion of tourism and religious tourism in the state,” he said.

Dhami also asked Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority to focus on efforts to increase the sources of income.

“Apart from making arrangements for night landing at Pantnagar, efforts should be made to operate regular air services from here. Arrangements should also be made that after getting off the plane at Pantnagar and Jollygrant, the tourists are provided with the facility of a helicopter to visit various picturesque tourist places of the state,” the Chief Minister said.

He also asked Naini Saini, Chinyalisaud, and Gauchar airstrips to be made comfortable so that the facility of small aircraft could be available here.

He also asked to pay attention to making the heliports being developed under the UDAN scheme well-equipped with the necessary resources.

The Chief Minister said that during the Chardham Yatra, effective arrangements should be made for effective control over the booking of helicopter tickets and black marketing of tickets. In this regard, the Chief Minister also talked about making arrangements for the booking of heli tickets through IRCTC. (ANI)

Read More: http://13.232.95.176/

Uttarakhand Dhami 8 New Cities

BJP Won’t Let AAP Open Its Account In MCD Elections: Dhami

By LokMarg

Taking a dig at the Aam Aadmi Party, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Puskar Singh Dhami on Thursday said that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will retain power in the MCD elections and will not let AAP even “open its account”.

While talking to ANI, Dhami said, “Delhi will continue what was started in Uttarakhand where they didn’t let the party even open its account.”
A day after Uttarakhand legislative assembly passed a stricter anti-conversion bill, Dhami on Thursday said, “Religious conversion was going on in a lot of places and was becoming a serious matter. So, we have made a provision that nobody will be able to indulge in religious conversion. If found guilty, they will face a jail term of up to 10 years. We’ve made a law.”

“Be it people across the country or in Delhi, everyone wants development, nationalism, and transparency and work going on under PM Modi’s leadership. Delhi will continue what was started in Uttarakhand where they didn’t let a party even open its account,” Dhami added.

Earlier on Wednesday, two important Bills were passed by voice vote in the Uttarakhand Assembly on the second day of the supplementary budget session on Thursday. A strict law regarding religious conversions in the state is now in place after the passage of the Uttarakhand Religion Freedom (Amendment) Bill 2022.

Apart from this, the Uttarakhand Public Service (Horizontal Reservation for Women) Bill 2022 will once again implement the system of 30 percent horizontal reservation for women in the state, which is considered a big achievement of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s government.

A few days ago, the state government also approved both bills from the Cabinet. With the passage of these Bills in the Vidhan Sabha on Wednesday, a notification for their implementation in the state will be issued soon.

“Uttarakhand is the land of Gods, where things like religious conversion are very dangerous for us, so the government had decided to enact the strictest laws for religious conversion in the state,” Dhami had said.

He said that it is the endeavour of the state government to implement this law in the state at the earliest.

“Mother power has a huge contribution in the construction of Uttarakhand and the government had already decided that respecting the mother power in this state with adverse geographical conditions, they should be given this horizontal reservation benefits,” he had said while speaking about the Horizontal Reservation Bill for women in Uttarakhand.

The high-stakes polls to the 250-ward Municipal Corporation of Delhi are due on December 4 and the votes will be counted on December 7.

The civic polls are shaping up to be a two-way contest between the BJP, which currently holds the civic reins in the national capital, and the AAP, which is in power in the capital. (ANI)

Read More: http://13.232.95.176/

Uttarakhand Police Gangster Act

Uttarakhand Police To Confiscate Criminals’ Property Under Goonda Act

By LokMarg

For effective action against criminals and to control crime, Uttarakhand Police will confiscate the illegally acquired property of the accused in all the cases filed under the Gangster Act in the state from December 1.

A two-month-long special campaign will be carried out following the direction of Uttarakhand Director General of Police Ashok Kumar.

According to the Police Headquarters, along with this, strict action will also be taken against the criminals carrying rewards and wanted criminals in the campaign. By announcing rewards on the wanted accused in various cases, special teams will be formed at the district level and the wanted and rewarded criminals will be arrested. Special Task Force (STF) has also been directed to arrest the prize and wanted criminals.

In due course, the property of the accused in the UKSSSC Paper Leak case will also be attached.

DGP Ashok Kumar said that as per the instructions of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the Uttarakhand Police is determined to make the state crime and criminal-free.

In this campaign, awards will be given to those who do good work from the Superintendent of Police to the station in charge and action will also be taken against those who show laxity in their work and those who fail, said an official statement. (ANI)

Read More: http://13.232.95.176/

Kedarnath Security

Priests’ Worry Over Gold Decor At Kedarnath, Dhami Enhances Security

By LokMarg

After carrying out gold layering work at the sanctum sanctorum of Kedarnath Temple, the state government is now going to increase security arrangements at the temple premises.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday issued a directive in this regard.
CM Dhami said that he has given instructions to the Chief Secretary and Additional Secretary Home of the state to increase the security of the Kedarnath temple complex.

“The walls and ceiling of the sanctum sanctorum of the temple have been decorated with gold layers, that is why he has given instructions to make the security of the temple premises tight and tight,” Dhami said while speaking to ANI.

The announcement comes after the priests at Kedarnath temple and local authorities wrote to the state government and requested to increase security at the temple in view of the upgraded and expensive gold decoration.

Reportedly, around 230kg of gold was used in the decoration work.

As per the temple committee officials, the walls and ceiling of the sanctum sanctorum of Kedarnath Dham have been given a new look and decorated with 550 gold layers by 19 artisans in 3 days, a total of 18 horse mules were used to transport the gold.

However, the security arrangements at the temple were reportedly not increased in accordance with the upgraded decoration.

A six-member team from IIT Roorkee, Central Building Research Roorkee, and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had earlier visited Kedarnath Dham and inspected the sanctum sanctorum of the temple.

And the work of applying golf lining in the sanctum sanctorum of Kedarnath temple was taken up only after a report from the experts.

The work of applying gold layers was taken up by 19 artisans under the supervision of two ASI officials, Shri Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee President Ajendra Ajay had told ANI earlier. (ANI)

Read More: http://13.232.95.176/

India, US to Hold War Games Near LAC With China

By LokMarg

India and the US will hold their regular Yudhabhyas series of wargames in the Auli area in Uttarakhand along the China border from November 15.

The exercise, which was planned many months in advance, was earlier planned to be held in October but would now be held next month, Army officials said.

The war games would see the two armies practice counter-terrorist operations along with many drills during the exercise, they said.

The exercise would be held from November 15 to December 2 in the mountainous terrain in the area which has seen the additional deployment of assets and troops in the last two years, they said.

The Americans are in a tense relationship with the Chinese due to the Taiwan issue while the Indian military has been in a standoff with them since May 2020 timeframe.

This would be the 18th of the Yudhabhyas wargames between India and the US to help enhance interoperability between the two sides. (ANI)

Read More:http://13.232.95.176/

Modi Dhami

Dhami Gifts Modi A Traditional Brahma Kamal Carved Cap

By LokMarg

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday left for the national capital from Jolly Grant airport in Uttarakhand after his two-day long visit to the state.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami gifted PM Modi famous sweets from Almora and a cap with a Brahma kamal flower embossed on it.

During his visit to the state, PM Modi pitched for the Vocal for Local initiative and appealed to people, especially tourists to spend their money on locally-made products.

In his address at a public event in Badrinath’s Mana, the last village bordering China, PM Modi said that every village located in the border areas will be now considered as the first village of India.

PM Modi also attended the ‘Saras Mela’ in Mana village and interacted with the local artisans and visited the stalls in the Mela.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Modi also laid the foundation stone for road widening projects worth around Rs 1,000 crore.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the two road widening projects – from Mana to Mana Pass (NH07) and from Joshimath to Malari (NH107B) – shall be another step towards providing last-mile all-weather road connectivity to our border areas. Apart from boosting connectivity, these projects will also prove beneficial from a strategic point of view as well.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after offering prayers to Lord Shiva in Badrinath, reviewed the progress of development work of the riverfront here.

Before arriving in Badrinath, PM Modi visited Kedarnath Dham in Rudraprayag and offered prayers donning a traditional pahadi outfit, Chola Dora, that was gifted to him by Himachali women during his tour to the state.

PM Modi arrived at Jolly Grant airport in Dehradun earlier in the day and was received by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Governor Lt Gen (Retd) Gurmeet Singh.

He later laid the foundation stone of the Kedarnath ropeway project and after that visited the Adi Guru Shankaracharya Samadhi Sthal and also reviewed the progress of development works along Mandakini Asthapath and Saraswati Asthapath.

PM Modi then interacted with the construction workers engaged in the Kedarnath Dham development project.

In Kedarnath, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for a ropeway project, which will be around 9.7 km long and will connect Gaurikund to Kedarnath, thus reducing the travel time between the two places from 6-7 hours at present to only about 30 minutes.

This ropeway is estimated to cost Rs 2,430 crore.

The Hemkund ropeway will connect Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib. It will be around 12.4 km long and will reduce the travel time from more than a day to only about 45 mins. This ropeway will also connect Ghangaria, which is the gateway to Valley of Flowers National Park, said the PMO statement.

The ropeways, which will be developed at a cumulative cost of around Rs 2,430 crore, are an environmentally friendly mode of transport that will provide a safe, secure, and stable mode of transport. This major infrastructure development will give a boost to religious tourism, which will give a fillip to the economic development in the region and lead to the creation of multiple employment opportunities as well.

PM Modi will now visit Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh on the eve of Diwali to celebrate the Deepotsav festival here. (ANI)

Read More:http://13.232.95.176/

Supreme Court

SC Asks Govts To Act Against Hate Speeches Or Face Contempt

By LokMarg

The Supreme Court on Friday, while expressing concern over the hate speeches in the country, observed “where have we reached in the name of religion” and ordered suo moto action against offenders without looking into religion.

A bench of Justices KM Joseph and Hrishikesh Roy said that hate speeches are “disturbing”, especially for a country that is democratic and religion-neutral.

“Where have we reached? What have we reduced religion to? It is tragic. And we speak of scientific temper,” observed the bench.

The bench also issued notices to Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand Police and asked them to file a report on what action has been taken against such offences within their jurisdiction.

It further ordered that State governments and police authorities should take suo motu action in cases of hate speeches without waiting for the registration of a formal complaint. The apex court said authorities to take action against offenders without looking at their religion of them.

Failure in taking action would attract contempt of court against the erring officials, it added.

It expressed shock at some of the statements and hates speeches made against minority communities during recent religious congregations.

The top court in its order said, “The Respondents (Delhi, UP and Uttarakhand police) will issue directions to their subordinates in this regard without looking at the religion of the accused so that the secular nature of India is preserved.”

The apex court was hearing a plea seeking its urgent intervention to stop the alleged growing menace of targeting and terrorising the Muslim Community in India.

The petition filed by petitioner Shaheen Abdullah, a journalist working with the Maktoob media, sought direction to the Centre and the State governments to initiate an independent, credible and impartial investigation into the incidents of hate crimes and hate speeches.

It further sought directions to initiate appropriate action under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and other relevant penal laws against the speakers and organisations engaging in such hate crimes.

The plea said news and media platforms that conduct programmes openly demonise the Muslim community.

“Public speeches openly call for genocide of Muslims or speeches calling for economic and social boycott of Muslims. Open participation by members of the ruling political party in delivering hate speeches targeting Muslims,” it added.

“Despite the fact that this Court has been cognisant of the genocidal speeches and hate crimes against Muslims made at several events and several orders have been passed by this Court directing the authorities concerned to take appropriate action, the circumstances of the country only seem to be worsening with the growing radicalisation of the Hindu community and the propagation of widespread hate against Muslims that also culminates into the physical abuse of Muslims by radical elements,” the plea stated. (ANI)

Read More:http://13.232.95.176/

Modi For Vocal For Local

At Village Bordering China, Modi Pitches For Vocal For Local

By LokMarg

As part of the Vocal for Local initiative, Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Uttarakhand on Friday appealed to people, particularly tourists, to spend money on purchasing locally-made products.

“I appeal to all tourists in the country to spend at least 5 percent of their travel budget on buying local products,” Prime Minister Modi said at a public event held at Badrinath’s Mana, the last village bordering China.
Earlier too, he had appealed to fellow Indians on various occasions to purchase indigenous products to sustain the local economy.

Talking about villages situated near international borders and far-flung areas, the prime minister said every village located in the border areas will be now considered as the first village of India.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Modi laid the foundation stone for road widening projects worth around Rs 1,000 crore.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the two road widening projects – from Mana to Mana Pass (NH07) and from Joshimath to Malari (NH107B) – shall be another step towards providing last-mile all-weather road connectivity to our border areas. Apart from boosting connectivity, these projects will also prove beneficial from a strategic point of view as well.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the progress of development work of the riverfront in Badrinath on Friday.

Earlier in the day, the prime minister offered prayers at Badrinath and Kedarnath.

In Kedarnath, he laid the foundation stone for a ropeway project, which will be around 9.7 km long and will connect Gaurikund to Kedarnath, reducing the travel time between the two places from 6-7 hours at present to only about 30 minutes.

The ropeway is estimated to cost Rs 2,430 crore. (ANI)

Read More:http://13.232.95.176/

Modi Dons Chola Dora To Offer Prayers

Kedarnath: Modi Dons Chola Dora To Offer Prayers

By LokMarg

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday morning offered prayers at Uttarkhand’s Kedarnath shrine, donning a ‘Chola Dora’ outfit gifted to him by women of Himachal Pradesh’s Chamba.

The traditional pahadi outfit in white colour and sporting fine hand embroidery was gifted to the prime minister during his recent visit to Himachal. PM Modi, on receiving the gift had promised the women that he would wear it the first instance during a visit to a cold region.

By wearing the outfit at today’s visit he fulfilled that promise.

Prime Minister Modi performed puja at Kedarnath Temple today. He was accompanied by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. PM also visited the Adi Guru Shankaracharya Samadhi Sthal at Kedarnath.

Prime Minister is on a visit to the Himalayan state to lay the foundation stone of projects worth over Rs 3,400 crore.

Upon his arrival at the Jolly Grant airport in Dehradun and was received by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Governor Lt Gen (Retd) Gurmeet Singh.

The prime minister also reviewed the progress of development works along Mandakini Asthapath and Saraswati Asthapath in Kedarnath during his visit. The PM will lay the foundation stone of the Kedarnath Ropeway Project.

From Kedarnath, Prime Minister reached Badrinath and performed pooja at the Shri Badrinath Temple.

Reviewing the progress of the development work of the riverfront, followed by laying the foundation stone of road and ropeway projects at Mana village and reviewing the progress of development work of the arrival plaza and lakes are on the agenda of the prime minister.

The ropeway in Kedarnath will be around 9.7 Km long and will connect Gaurikund to Kedarnath, reducing the travel time between the two places from 6-7 hours at present, to only about 30 mins. The Hemkund ropeway will connect Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib. It will be around 12.4 km long and will reduce the travel time from more than a day to only about 45 mins. This ropeway will also connect Ghangaria, which is the gateway to Valley of Flowers National Park, said the PMO statement.

The ropeways, which will be developed at a cumulative cost of around Rs 2,430 crore, are an environmentally friendly mode of transport that will provide a safe, secure, and stable mode of transport. This major infrastructure development will give a boost to religious tourism, which will give a fillip to the economic development in the region and lead to the creation of multiple employment opportunities as well.

Foundation stones of road widening projects worth around Rs 1000 crore will also be laid during the visit. The two road widening projects – from Mana to Mana Pass (NH07) and from Joshimath to Malari (NH107B) – shall be another step towards providing last-mile all-weather road connectivity to our border areas. Apart from boosting connectivity, these projects will also prove beneficial from a strategic point of view as well.

Kedarnath and Badrinath are among the most important Hindu shrines. The area is also known for one of the revered Sikh Pilgrim site – Hemkund Sahib. The connectivity projects are aimed to ease access and improve basic infrastructure in places of religious significance. (ANI)

Read More:http://13.232.95.176/