Uttarakhand should take inspiration from the small Himalayan State of Sikkim and work towards converting itself into an ‘Organic State’. The State can also use hydro power, herbal medicines, forestry and tourism for development, said the Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing a public gathering at Kedarnath on Friday. He said that it took ten years for Sikkim to develop itself into an organic State but now its products are internationally recognised.
The PM said that the world is heading towards holistic health care and in such a situation Uttarakhand can reject the use of chemical fertiliser and can become a leading state in production of organic food products.
The PM inaugurated five projects related to the reconstruction of Kedarnath on the occasion. He laid the foundation stone of broadening of the bridle path leading to Kedarnath Temple, construction of retaining wall and Ghats on Saraswati and Mandakini rivers, construction of houses for Teerth Purohits and reconstruction work on the Samadhi Sthal of Adi Shankaracharya on the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, Modi said that reconstruction work in Kedarnath would be in sync with the nature and environment of the place. He accepted that the cost of the reconstruction works would be high but added that the help of different State Governments, industrial houses and the public would be taken in this endeavor. Modi emphatically said that the modern technology would be used in the reconstruction work but no compromise would be made with the spiritual sanctity of the Himalayas and the soul of the pilgrimage place. He commended Uttarakhand Government for progress made on the front of sanitation and said that it has become the fourth State in the country where rural areas are open defecation free. Modi said that the both state and Union Government are working in tandem to ensure that the both power of youth and water is used to make Uttarakhand prosperous. He said that there are more than four crore families in the country which are deprived of electricity connection and the Government has taken an initiative to provide power these families under the Pradhan Mantri Saubhagya Yojana. He called upon the state Governments to engage in healthy competition on developmental issues.
On the reconstruction projects, PM said that the bridle path from Gaurikund to Kedarnath temple would be broadened and Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC) would be used here similarly the houses of the Teerth Purohits would have provision for stay of visitors and guests. Arrangements for round the clock power and water supply, sanitation and communication facilities would also be made, he said.
The Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Trivendra Singh Rawat said it is matter of great pride for the State that the Prime Minister has visited Kedarnath twice within six months. He said that the visits of the PM have conveyed a message of safe Yatra among the masses.
As the schedule the PM arrived in Kedarnath at 10 am. He was accompanied by the Governor of Uttarakhand Krishan Kant Paul, Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, Cabinet Minister Prakash Pant, State Minister for Protocol Dhan Singh Rawat and BJP state President Ajay Bhatt. The PM spent considerable time in the temple premises. He offered prayers in the shrine and participated in a Rudrabhishek. A 3-D presentation on reconstruction works of Kedarnath was also made on the occasion.