The motive behind the State Government schemes introduced by Chief Minister Harish Rawat may be in public interest, but the authorities are failing to execute the same at the ground level as required.
The present political scenario of uncertainty does not bode well for Uttarakhand and its people. Veteran Chipko Andolan activist Dhoom Singh Negi said this on the occasion of a compilation of his writings in various publications being released with the title ‘Mitti Pani Aur Bayar’ here on Sunday.
Talking to The Pioneer, the veteran social activist and writer stressed on the importance and need for establishing the definition of what constitutes development. He said, “I am an adherent of MK Gandhi’s ideals. He had said that the Congress party should be dissolved in the post-independent era having achieved the aim of securing Indian independence -- the purpose for which it was formed and should be replaced by lok Seva starting from the village level.”
“I am a social work activist and prefer to keep away from party politics but from a non-political viewpoint as a social worker, I think that the recent political fluctuations and scenario is not good for the State and its people. The various schemes introduced by the Government for public welfare are good when it comes to their conceptualisation but there are shortcomings when it comes to the execution of these schemes at the ground level,” he said.
The veteran Chipko movement activist also expressed concern at the rise in liquor consumption and its spreading across the state especially in recent years.
Born in 1939 in Pipleth village in Tehri district, Dhoom Singh Negi worked as a teacher and later principal in addition to growing vegetables and cultivating fruits at the same time while also bringing out the children publication ‘Indra Dhanush.
He entered the Chipko Andolan under activist Sunderlal Bahuguna also accompanying him on foot on travels across the Himalayan region covering a length of more than 5,000 kilometres.
Veteran journalist CC Chandola, Vijay Jadadhari of Beej Bachao Andolan, noted folk singer Narendra Singh Negi and others were also present on the occasion.