Seeking to strike a chord with the people of Kotdwar, a place that is hallowed with the names of Chakrawarti Samrat Bharat from whom ‘Bharatvarsha’ is supposed to have been derived and also with Kanva Rishi, Chief Minister Harish Rawat said on Friday that his Government would do everything to make the people remember the glorious legacy of Kanwashram where Bharat is supposed to be born and brought up under the benign guidance of the sage Kanva.
“The people of Kotdwar is aware of the legacy. But it should spread far and wide,” he said after laying the foundation stone of the entrance of Kanva Rishi’s place where Bharat was born on the occasion of Vasant Panchami, adding that Kanwashram Mela would be included in the list of the State Government-sponsored festivals next year. “This will be developed as Bharat tourist circuit and whatever information available about Kanwashram would be compiled together. Besides, the legacy would figure in the Uttarakhand board curriculum,” he said.
He also announced that a giant statue of Bharat will be erected in Kotdwar as a joint venture with Hans Foundation and the State Government. He also inaugurated a 72- metre long iron bridge over Malan river.
CM also announced that his Government would develop a lake near Kanwashram and construct roads as well. He also assured that flood control work will be executed as priority basis for Malan and Sukhro areas in the financial year 2016-17.
He further said that Ramnagar-Kotdwar-Cheela motorable road will be constructed shortly, adding that Gurukul Kangdi University will be supported by the State Government.
Stressing on the use of the modern technological tools to boost cultivation, CM said this is a must. “Ours is an economy based on the bedrock of agriculture,” he said.
Reiterating his commitment to the promotion of indigenous crops like Mandua, Jhangora, Malta, Galar, Bhatt and Gahat aside from other food grains and pulses, he exhorted the people to make full use of the schemes to boost income.
CM also apprised the people of the Chief Minster health insurance scheme, saying that the people can now take benefit up to `1.5 lakh.
Referring to education, he said the quality not being satisfactory, his government would recruit more teachers to overcome the existing crunch.