{"id":71781,"date":"2025-11-09T13:14:01","date_gmt":"2025-11-09T07:44:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dwarkaparichay.com\/blog\/?p=71781"},"modified":"2025-11-09T14:13:20","modified_gmt":"2025-11-09T08:43:20","slug":"uttarakhand-foundation-day-silver-jubilee-special","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dwarkaparichay.com\/blog\/uttarakhand-foundation-day-silver-jubilee-special\/","title":{"rendered":"UTTARAKHAND FOUNDATION DAY \u2014 SILVER JUBILEE SPECIAL"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A LAND THAT MOLDED MY SOUL<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[ By Prof. S. S. Dogra ]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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On 9 November 2000, as the first rays of sunlight kissed the icy ridges of the Himalayas, a new state was born \u2014 Uttarakhand. It was not just a political event; it was a culmination of prayers, protests, sacrifices, and the collective heartbeat of hill dwellers who had long dreamed of dignity and development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, as it celebrates its Silver Jubilee (25 years), Uttarakhand stands tall \u2014 a radiant symbol of ecological wisdom, spiritual magnetism, and adventure that touches the sky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

LEADERSHIP THROUGH THE YEARS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Uttarakhand\u2019s journey in these 25 years has been dynamic. The state has been led by 11 Chief Ministers, whose contributions together shaped its progress:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nityanand Swami (2000\u20132001) \u2013 BJP
Bhagat Singh Koshyari (2001\u20132002) \u2013 BJP
N. D. Tiwari (2002\u20132007) \u2013 INC
B. C. Khanduri (2007\u20132009) \u2013 BJP
Ramesh Pokhriyal \u2018Nishank\u2019 (2009\u20132011) \u2013 BJP
B. C. Khanduri (2011\u20132012) \u2013 BJP
Vijay Bahuguna (2012\u20132014) \u2013 INC
Harish Rawat (2014\u20132017) \u2013 INC
Trivendra Singh Rawat (2017\u20132021) \u2013 BJP
Tirath Singh Rawat (2021) \u2013 BJP
Pushkar Singh Dhami (2021\u2013Present) \u2013 BJP<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among them, Shri N. D. Tiwari served the longest and laid a solid administrative foundation. During his tenure, the prestigious Uttaranchal Conclave 2003 was held in Mussoorie \u2014 organized by UTDB and CII. I was honored to be invited by the government to attend this historic event. Standing amidst visionaries overlooking the mist-wrapped Doon Valley, I felt something shift within me \u2014 a bond that would become lifelong.<\/p>\n\n\n

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A PERSONAL PILGRIMAGE TO THE HIMALAYAS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

My relationship with Uttarakhand began not in 2000, but before its birth. In 1999, destiny led me to the sacred Golu Devta Temple in Ghodakhal, Bhowali. Later, my articles on Kainchi Dham were published in Punjab Kesari. The belief that Golu Devta grants justice where human systems fail touched me deeply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Sir George Everest Estate, where clouds descend like soft whispers,
to the holy Ganga\u2019s first roar at Rishikesh and her serenity in Haridwar,
every journey carved permanent memories into my heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I was also privileged to cover the Asian Championship at the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering in Uttarkashi \u2014 a moment that brought me closer to the courage and discipline of the mountain spirit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though I am from Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand became my emotional homeland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WHEN THE CAMERA MET THE MOUNTAINS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

23 September 2018 is a date I cherish.
My documentary film \u201cUttarakhandi Warriors,\u201d based on para-athlete Harish Chaudhary, received an honour at the 4th Dehradun International Film Festival. The teaser was launched earlier at G.B. Pant University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Receiving the award from Vivek Vaswani, Surendra Pal, Harak Singh Rawat, and Rajesh Sharma
was not just recognition \u2014it was a salute to the undying courage of Uttarakhand’s people.<\/p>\n\n\n

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THE MOUNTAINS THAT TAUGHT ME LIFE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Uttarakhand is not just to be seen \u2014 it must be felt.
The mountains here teach the most profound lessons:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nag Tibba trekking \u2014 with spirited school students
Gangotri to Gaumukh (2002) \u2014 with my wife and two little children
Dodital trek \u2014 discovering untouched alpine beauty
1997 expedition with Padma Shri Bachendri Pal
On every trail, the wind carried one message:
\u201cClimb your mountains \u2014 inside and outside.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2017, during the Uttarakhand Education Summit & Excellence Awards, my debut book
“Media Can Do Wonders in Students\u2019 Life” was launched by the Malaysian Ambassador, along with Education Minister Arvind Pandey and Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaj. Even in 2019, I covered a Bollywood film shoot near Dehradun \u2014 yet again discovering how cinema and nature blend effortlessly here.<\/p>\n\n\n

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THE VALLEY THAT CHANGED ME<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2025, I stayed for 16 days in Kanda Village (Champawat district) \u2014 a valley untouched by the noise of modernity. There, I transformed a small village library into a Global Library.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kanda taught me simplicity.
Unmechanized farming.
Silent sunrises.
Smiles that don\u2019t need Wi-Fi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There, I realized:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Uttarakhand is not a destination.
It is a feeling of belonging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WHY UTTARAKHAND IS SPECIAL<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Devbhoomi \u2014 where gods reside and rivers are born
Capital of adventure \u2014 trekking, rafting, mountaineering
Biodiversity unparalleled \u2014 forests that breathe, wildlife that thrives
A global center for yoga, wellness and spiritual awakening
But more than geography and glory\u2014 it is the warmth of its people that defines its soul.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SALUTE TO A QUARTER CENTURY OF COURAGE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A lot has changed in 25 years.
Roads are wider, infrastructure stronger, aspirations higher.
Yet, the essence remains untouched:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMountains don\u2019t measure your height.
They measure your courage.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Uttarakhand enters its next chapter, I bow to its mountains, its rivers, its serenity, and its people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Happy Silver Jubilee \u2014 Uttarakhand Foundation Day!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jai Uttarakhand.
Jai Badri Vishal.
Jai Goljyu Maharaj.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014 A pilgrim, traveler, filmmaker and lifelong admirer<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[Author: Prof. S. S. Dogra \u2013 Bureau Chief (Delhi), Himalini Magazine, Nepal & Founder, Creatives World Media Academy]<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A LAND THAT MOLDED MY SOUL On 9 November 2000, as the first rays of sunlight kissed the icy ridges of the Himalayas, a new state was born \u2014 Uttarakhand. It was not just a political event; it was a culmination of prayers, protests, sacrifices, and the collective heartbeat of hill dwellers who had long dreamed of dignity and development. Today, as it celebrates its Silver Jubilee (25 years), Uttarakhand stands tall \u2014 a radiant symbol of ecological wisdom, spiritual magnetism, and adventure that touches the sky. LEADERSHIP THROUGH THE YEARS Uttarakhand\u2019s journey <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1875],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-71781","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-events"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dwarkaparichay.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/71781","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dwarkaparichay.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dwarkaparichay.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dwarkaparichay.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dwarkaparichay.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=71781"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/dwarkaparichay.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/71781\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":71788,"href":"https:\/\/dwarkaparichay.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/71781\/revisions\/71788"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dwarkaparichay.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=71781"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dwarkaparichay.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=71781"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dwarkaparichay.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=71781"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}