25-12-2025 : Governor participated as the Chief Guest on Thursday in the “Atal Smriti Lecture Series–2025” held at Lekhak Gaon, Thano (Dehradun)

Governor Lieutenant General Gurmit Singh (Retd.) participated as the Chief Guest on Thursday in the “Atal Smriti Lecture Series–2025” held at Lekhak Gaon, Thano (Dehradun). On this occasion, he paid heartfelt tributes to former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji by offering floral wreaths at his statue installed in the campus. The Governor also inaugurated the newly constructed auditorium at the venue.

Addressing the lecture series, the Governor said that Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji was not merely a great statesman, but a thought, a philosophy, and a symbol of national consciousness. His visionary thinking provided a new direction to the country. His entire life was devoted to nation-building, democratic values, and constitutional principles. He said that Atal Jayanti is observed as Good Governance Day, whose core spirit is service rather than power. Accountability towards the people, transparency, and sensitivity form the foundation of good governance.

The Governor said that under Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji’s leadership, the nation witnessed strong yet sensitive governance during the Pokhran nuclear tests and the Kargil War. At the same time, the Lahore Bus Yatra symbolized Atal Ji’s belief that strength and peace complement each other. He said that the formation of the state of Uttarakhand in the year 2000 was a result of Atal Ji’s foresight and his sensitivity towards the needs of mountainous regions. His vision of “small state, big development” continues to guide Uttarakhand’s progress even today.

Describing Lekhak Gaon as a powerful center of literature, culture, and intellectual dialogue, the Governor said that this place is shaping the soul of society. He remarked that in environments like Lekhak Gaon, ideas emerge naturally. He urged everyone to cultivate the habit of writing so that thoughts and reflections can be preserved. He expressed confidence that this center will nurture many writers in the future.

The Governor congratulated and awarded the winners of the Bal Atal Lecture Competition. He thanked former Chief Minister and Patron of Lekhak Gaon, Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’, the Lekhak Gaon family, organizers, scholars, and participants for the successful organization of the event, and called upon the youth to draw inspiration from the life values of Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji and actively contribute to nation-building. He also elaborated on the concept and objectives of Lekhak Gaon.

Director of Lekhak Gaon, Mrs. Vidushi Nishank, welcomed the distinguished scholars present at the event. Senior journalist and author Mr. Pradeep Sardana also shared his views on the occasion. Former Director of Higher Education Dr. Savita Mohan, along with writers, thinkers, intellectuals, and scholars from the literary world, were present at the program.