Uttarakhand’s recovery after deluge due to people’s resilience: Rawat

Dehradun, August 15

Holding that Uttarakhand has overcome the effects of the 2013 disaster, Chief Minister Harish Rawat on Saturday attributed the state's speedy recovery from the setback to the resilience of its people.

In his address to the people of the state after unfurling the National Flag at the Parade Ground here to mark Independence Day, he said when he was making his speech on this occasion at the same venue last year the state was still battling the effects of the deluge of 2013.

“But today I can say with a sense of pride that Uttarakhand has not only recovered from the effects of the unprecedented tragedy but is also marching ahead steadily on the path of development.

“By working relentlessly even in minus 6 degree Celsius in Kedarnath our people have enhanced the state's self-confidence which had been dented by the disaster,” he said.

Expressing the state government's resolve to march further ahead on the path of development, he said the process of rehabilitation and reconstruction is still underway and a generous helping hand from the Centre is expected to help us achieve our goals.

“We have been able to give the message of a safe Uttarakhand — a fact corroborated by the rising number of tourists to remote destinations and devotees visiting the char dhams.

“So far, seven lakh pilgrims have visited the famous Himalayan shrines and I am confident that at least 11 lakh will visit them this year before their portals are closed for winters,” he said.

He also made a mention of the successful conduct of the Kanwar mela during which over three crore 'kanwariyas' descended over Haridwar to collect holy waters of the Ganga.

The Chief Minister spoke of the new tourism and adventure tourism destinations being developed in the state like Jauljivi, Pancheshwar and Chandrapuri where river rafting, trekking, mountain biking and paragliding facilities will be made available to people.

Rawat also said in the next four years the state government will succeed in stopping migration from the hills by giving an impetus to education, promotion of agricultural and horticultural activities and conservation of the local handicrafts.

Describing them as the three "mahamantras" for stopping migration from the hills, Rawat said if followed in true spirit they will not just effectively stop exodus but will also lead to reverse migration in the next seven years.

“We must collectively work to the goal of stopping migration from the hills. There is no dearth of talent among us. Thousands of talented Uttarakhandis are making unprecedented contribution to nation building," he said.

After his address Rawat also gave chief minister's medal for meritorious service to police officials including three women IPS officers — Sweety Agarwal, P Renuka Devi and Nivedita Kukreti.

While Haridwar SSP Agarwal was honoured for her role in successfully conducting the Kanwar mela, SDRF Commandant Devi was felicitated for saving several lives during the ongoing chardham yatra and last year's Nanda Devi Raaj Jaat Yatra and Kukreti, who heads city patrol unit, for streamlining flow of traffic in Dehrdaun.

Uttarakhand Governor KK Paul also unfurled the tricolour and planted a sapling at Raj Bhawan to mark the occasion. — PTI