National Security Adviser Ajit Doval said that Uttarakhand had not developed as per the aspirations of the people. He expressed the hope that the development of the State will reach the desired level in the future. Doval visited his native village Ghidi in Kot block of Pauri district on Sunday along with his family members and attended the annual worship ceremony of goddess Bal Kumari, the deity worshipped by the Dobhal family.
This was Doval's first visit to his village after being made the national security adviser so elaborate arrangements had been made for the religious function and Ghidi residents along with those living in adjoining areas welcomed him with much enthusiasm.
The Bal Kumari temple is situated at the top of Ghidi village and is believed to have been constructed by Doval's family. According to temple committee members, the start of this annual worship ceremony was motivated by Major Gunanand Dobhal, the father of Ajit Doval on June 22, 1999.
Earlier, Doval along with his wife and family members, reached the Pauri circuit house on Saturday evening. He was welcomed by the District Magistrate Chandra Shekhar Bhatt, Superintendent of Police Ajay Joshi and others. Doval talked in Garhwali with those who came to meet him there.
Interacting informally with the media persons at the circuit house, the national security adviser expressed his pleasure at being in his native place. He said that Uttarakhand had not developed as desired by the people and hoped that the desired level of development would be achieved in the future. Migration of villagers is a major reason for lack of development in rural mountainous regions of Uttarakhand. Responding to the question of Chinese incursion on Indian territory, Doval declined to make any comment and stressed that the issue was related to national security while his visit to Pauri was a personal visit.