Paying respect to Panchachuli Devta, Chief Minister Harish Rawat inaugurated the two-day-long Johar Festival in Haldwani on Sunday.
In his address, CM said that our culture is our heritage. It is our responsibility to hand over our beautiful heritage to next generation skillfully so that our culture and heritage might be alive for ages. Culture of Devbhoomi is liked and appreciated across the globe as people visit our State to feel spiritual peace in caves and beautiful hilly regions.
People feel blessed to touch the holy water of River Ganga. Our traditional crops which are the identity of Uttarakhand like Gahath, Chaulai, Mandua and Bhatt are becoming popular among people. Demands of our local grains which are full of medicinal quality are increasing abroad. State Government presented a special working plan to promote the local grains of Uttarakhand. A new strategy has been prepared to sale these crops. Grant is being provided on the seeds of these crops.
Congratulating the organisers of festival, CM said that culture of every part of our State is unique but culture of Jauhar and Saur Valley has its special identity since ancient era. Great and talented people belong to this region have established their identity at the State level along with national level. Brave soldiers of our State made matchless history through defending the borders of country. While Jauhar community remarkably contributed in mountaineering, adventurous tasks and administrative services. CM assured to repair the Jauljibi Madkot Road, Jauljibi Tanakpur Road, Milam Road and other roads soon.
Rawat said that Haldwani developed as Metro city, being gateway of Kumaun, was also developing as bouquet of communal harmony. International projects worth more than Rs500 Crore going to be set up in the city. State Government is focussed on development of entire State.