22-08-2026:Address by the Hon’ble Governor of Uttarakhand at the Education Conclave & Garhwal Post Awards Ceremony

(Date: August 22, 2026)

Jai Hind!

Padma Bhushan Shri Bhagat Singh Koshyari Ji, distinguished guests, educationists, scientists and technology experts, representatives of the media fraternity, the Garhwal Post family, esteemed award recipients, ladies and gentlemen,

I am delighted to be a part of this meaningful and inspiring occasion—the Education Conclave and Garhwal Post Awards Ceremony. The uniqueness of this event lies in the fact that it brings together discussions on subjects that will shape the future, such as education, science and artificial intelligence; honours individuals who have made outstanding contributions; and, for me personally, marks a deeply cherished moment with the launch of the poetic adaptation of my life journey, “Vatayana – The Life Journey of a Nationalist Sikh.”

For me, these three occasions are not separate. Rather, they represent three important dimensions of the same spirit of nation-building—through knowledge, achievement and life experience.

First of all, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Garhwal Post on completing a proud journey of 30 years. Three decades are a significant milestone for any newspaper. During these years, Garhwal Post has not merely reported news; it has also given voice to the journey of Uttarakhand—its creation, achievements, challenges, aspirations and changing social landscape.

I congratulate Editor Shri Satish Sharma and his entire team for this continuous and meaningful journey. Sustaining a newspaper for three decades requires trust, commitment, consistency and a strong sense of public responsibility. With changing times and evolving technology, Garhwal Post has continued to adapt and move forward, while maintaining its close connection and dialogue with Uttarakhand and its people.

I believe that the media is not merely an information system of democracy; it is also an important medium of public dialogue. Its responsibility is to bring the voice of society to the forefront, create awareness about important issues, and promote healthy and meaningful public discourse based on facts. Today, when the flow of information is extremely rapid and digital platforms and artificial intelligence are opening up new possibilities as well as new challenges, the importance of truth, facts, credibility and responsibility in journalism has increased even further.

I am pleased that Garhwal Post has gone beyond news reporting to give space to initiatives related to public welfare and development. Its efforts to promote Uttarakhand as a film destination, highlight the state’s tourism potential, and bring education and higher education into public discourse are truly welcome. This is the role in which the media ceases to be merely a mirror of events and becomes a partner in positive change and thoughtful dialogue.

Today, outstanding individuals are also being honoured on this platform. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the award recipients. Such honours do not merely celebrate achievements; they also present inspiring examples of service, dedication and excellence before the younger generation.

It is particularly gratifying to see Padma Bhushan Shri Bhagat Singh Koshyari Ji being honoured. His long public life—as Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Member of Parliament and Governor of Maharashtra—has been an important chapter in the social and public life of Uttarakhand. I extend my warm congratulations and best wishes to him and to all the personalities being honoured today.

The theme we are discussing today—“Education, Science and AI”—is not merely a requirement of the present; it is a subject that will shape the direction of India’s future. Our progress in the coming years will depend upon the powerful integration of all three.

Education is the foundation of any nation’s progress. It is not merely a means of obtaining degrees; it develops knowledge, wisdom, curiosity, creativity and leadership. We need an education system that prepares our youth for a changing world and gives them the courage to ask questions, experiment and turn new ideas into reality. Our universities should not remain merely institutions that impart knowledge; they should become centres of research, innovation and problem-solving.

Alongside education, science gives us the power of discovery, scientific thinking and evidence-based solutions. India is moving forward with new possibilities in areas such as space science, healthcare, agriculture, defence, energy, biotechnology and the environment. We must further strengthen scientific thinking and a culture of research among our youth.

Curiosity creates questions; questions lead to research; research gives birth to innovation; and innovation accelerates the progress of the nation.

For Uttarakhand, the role of education and science is even more significant. Challenges such as the Himalayan environment, water conservation, disaster management, biodiversity, agriculture, healthcare and access to services in remote areas are also opportunities for research and innovation. Our universities and research institutions can develop solutions tailored to local needs and help Uttarakhand emerge as a model of knowledge-based development.

When AI is integrated with education and science, the horizon of possibilities becomes even wider. I see AI not merely as a new technology, but as a powerful means of accelerating knowledge, research, innovation and human potential. In education, AI can make learning more effective and accessible. In science and research, it can accelerate the analysis of complex problems and enable new discoveries. In healthcare, disaster management, weather forecasting, tourism and the conservation of natural resources, it can provide new and innovative solutions.

In a Himalayan state like Uttarakhand, the potential of AI is particularly significant. It can play an important role in taking quality education, healthcare services and expert knowledge to remote areas. Technology can transform our geographical distances into greater proximity to knowledge and opportunity.

We must ensure that our youth become not merely users of AI, but also creators, researchers, innovators and leaders. They must connect their talent with technology and develop solutions that address not only the needs of Uttarakhand but also contribute to India’s broader development journey.

Education will be our foundation, science will be our power of discovery and understanding, and AI will be the means of accelerating that knowledge and talent. This synergy can become India’s new strength.

Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji has described the third decade of the 21st century as the decade of Uttarakhand. We must make this decade a decade of new heights in education, research, science, technology and innovation, and transform the talent, capabilities and innovations of Uttarakhand into a source of strength for a developed India.

I firmly believe that a developed Uttarakhand has an important role to play in the journey towards a developed India. We must build an Uttarakhand where education expands opportunities, science provides new solutions, AI accelerates innovation, and our youth, through their talent and knowledge, earn global recognition while playing a leading role in solving the unique challenges of their state.

The launch today of the poetic adaptation of my life journey, “Vatayana – The Life Journey of a Nationalist Sikh,” is a deeply personal and cherished moment for me. My journey—from serving as a soldier, through various responsibilities in the armed forces, to my present constitutional responsibility as the Governor of Uttarakhand—has never been merely a journey through positions. It has been a journey of national service, discipline, struggle and learning.

I remain eternally grateful to my family, teachers, fellow soldiers and countless well-wishers who have shaped my life. Vatayana is a reflection of my experiences and values. I believe this work will inspire young people to move forward with determination, dedication and the spirit of putting the nation first. I extend my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the author, Shri Ravindra Saini Ji, for this creative endeavour.

I would also like to say a word today about the role of the media. The means of technology and communication are changing rapidly. The journey from print to digital and now to AI has brought new opportunities for journalism. The medium may change, but the fundamental values of truth, accuracy, credibility and public service must never change.

In conclusion, I once again extend my heartfelt congratulations to Garhwal Post on completing 30 years; to all the personalities being honoured today; to Shri Ravindra Saini Ji, the author of Vatayana; and to all the experts participating in the discussion on “Education, Science and AI.”

Let us build a knowledge ecosystem and an innovation framework where education is enriched with values, science is driven by curiosity, technology is guided by creativity, and AI opens new possibilities for the welfare of humanity.

This will empower our youth, take Uttarakhand to new heights, and further accelerate our resolve to build a developed India.

Jai Hind!
Jai Uttarakhand!