A vibrant celebration of indigenous heritage commenced in Khatima on Sunday with the grand opening of the three-day Uttarakhand Aadi Rangotsav. The cultural festival was officially inaugurated by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. The inaugural ceremony saw the participation of key central leaders, including Union Minister of Tribal Affairs Jual Oram and Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju. Folk troupes arriving from across the country showcased the colorful depth of India's tribal traditions through indigenous dance, traditional music, and heritage attire. Displaying personal enthusiasm, Chief Minister Dhami stepped among the performers, danced alongside them, and played a traditional drum to encourage the artists.
Empowering Tribal Communities and Educational Investments
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami stated that Aadi Rangotsav represents the culture, traditions, and pride of tribal society. He highlighted that the state administration is continuously working to integrate tribal populations with quality schooling, healthcare, sustainable employment, and essential amenities to ensure they become self-reliant and empowered.
Sharing the stage, Union Minister of Tribal Affairs Jual Oram commended the joint developmental initiatives undertaken in the state. He announced an expenditure of approximately 10 crore rupees dedicated to expanding infrastructure and modern amenities at the Eklavya Model Residential School located in Khatima. The Union Minister revealed that the tendering process for constructing a hostel with an estimated cost of around 4 crore rupees has already been completed. Taking the initiative further, Chief Minister Dhami appealed to the central ministers to approve and establish an Eklavya Model Residential School in the Pithoragarh region as well.
Praise for Disaster Management Leadership
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju praised Uttarakhand's indigenous diversity, citing communities like the Tharu, Boksa, Jaunsari, and Raji as central pillars of the state's vibrant cultural identity. Rijiju also lauded Chief Minister Dhami's governance, noting that his handling of difficult crises, including natural disasters, landslide emergencies, and tunnel accidents, demonstrated commendable leadership under challenging circumstances.
Pan-India Artists Unite Under Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat
The cultural festival brought together artists from a wide array of states, including Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Jharkhand, Mizoram, and Uttar Pradesh. Through diverse musical and dance recitals, the visiting performers presented a harmonious vision of national unity, reinforcing the message of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat'.
