04-07-2026:Address by the Hon’ble Governor on the Occasion of the Launch of the ‘Seva Pakhwada’ under the Campaign ‘Government for Every Citizen, At Every Doorstep’
Jai Hind!
It gives me immense pleasure to be present among you on this sacred occasion of the launch of the ‘Seva Pakhwada’ under the campaign ‘Government for Every Citizen, At Every Doorstep’, being organized on the holy land of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand, on the sacred banks of Mother Ganga.
This campaign represents a strong collective commitment to public service, good governance, and public welfare. The true strength of democracy is realized only when the benefits of governance reach every citizen, especially those standing at the last mile of society, with dignity, sensitivity, transparency, and timeliness. Organized with the spirit of “Service, Good Governance, and Dedication,” the Seva Pakhwada will undoubtedly strengthen the bond of trust between the government and the people while infusing new energy into public participation.
Today’s occasion is historic in another significant way as well. Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami is setting a new milestone by becoming the longest-serving Chief Minister in the history of Uttarakhand. This achievement symbolizes the trust of the people, democratic stability, and continuity in development. I extend my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to him on this historic accomplishment.
In Indian culture, “Seva Paramo Dharma” (Service is the Supreme Duty) is not merely a maxim but an eternal philosophy of life. Our sages taught us that “Service to humanity is service to God,” considering public welfare as the highest form of devotion. When service becomes the work culture of governance and public welfare becomes the objective of every policy, democracy attains its true meaning.
The mantra given by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi—”Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas” (Together with All, Development for All, Trust of All, Efforts by All)—has today become the cornerstone of good governance. Inspired by this vision, Uttarakhand has made service, transparency, accountability, and public participation integral to its governance. Campaigns like ‘Government for Every Citizen, At Every Doorstep’ are powerful examples of this people-centric approach.
Brothers and Sisters,
During my five-year tenure as Governor, I have witnessed Uttarakhand take several historic and visionary decisions. Uttarakhand became the first state in the country to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). This landmark decision has further strengthened the constitutional ideals of equality, justice, and social harmony while presenting a remarkable example of good governance before the nation.
To safeguard the future of our youth, the state enacted the country’s strongest anti-copying law. It also introduced stringent legal provisions against forced religious conversion and those damaging public property, along with an effective land law in the larger interest of the state. The guiding principle behind all these decisions has been clear—Public Interest Above All, Good Governance Above All, and National Interest Above All.
The true measure of a state’s progress lies not merely in its economic achievements but in how effectively the benefits of development reach the last person in society. When the poor, farmers, women, youth, senior citizens, and people living in remote and border areas become the focus of government policies, the ideal of Antyodaya is truly realized.
The women of Uttarakhand have always played a leading role—from the state’s formation to its ongoing journey of development. The provision of 30 percent horizontal reservation for women in government services, the expansion of Self-Help Groups, and initiatives such as Lakhpati Didi are significant milestones in women’s empowerment. Today, our women are emerging as strong partners in the state’s development.
Brothers and Sisters,
Devbhoomi Uttarakhand is known for its spiritual consciousness, rich cultural heritage, and enduring tradition of public welfare. The ongoing redevelopment works at Shri Kedarnath and Shri Badrinath Dham beautifully symbolize the harmonious blend of our eternal spiritual heritage with modern development. These efforts are providing better facilities to pilgrims while strengthening Uttarakhand’s global identity.
Today, Uttarakhand is scaling new heights not only in spiritual tourism but also in adventure, rural, wellness, and eco-tourism. The Homestay Scheme has created dignified livelihood opportunities for thousands of local families and youth, while also playing a positive role in addressing the challenge of migration from rural areas.
The successful organization of prestigious events such as the Global Investors Summit, G-20 meetings, world-class conferences, and the National Games has elevated the state’s administrative capabilities, investment potential, and international reputation. Uttarakhand is steadily emerging as a hub of development, investment, and innovation.
The state is also making continuous progress in infrastructure development. Projects such as the Rishikesh–Karnaprayag Rail Project, the Delhi–Dehradun Expressway, the All Weather Road, ropeway projects, and the expansion of air connectivity are giving fresh momentum to the state’s development. These initiatives are creating new opportunities in tourism, trade, education, healthcare, and local employment while bringing the mainstream of development to remote and border regions.
Startups and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are not merely new technologies; they are the new engines of a developed India. If the youth of Uttarakhand embrace innovation and entrepreneurship, our state can emerge as a leading centre for knowledge, technology, and employment generation. This is the direction in which the future of Uttarakhand lies.
Whenever I visit the remote and border areas of Uttarakhand, I have the opportunity to witness the positive transformation taking place there. Areas that were once difficult to access are now connected with improved roads, healthcare, education, digital services, and communication facilities. This is not merely infrastructure development but a powerful testimony to public trust and good governance.
Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had declared from the sacred land of Baba Kedar that “The third decade of the 21st century will belong to Uttarakhand.” This reflects his unwavering faith in Uttarakhand’s immense potential, its spiritual heritage, its youth, and its women. It is our responsibility to transform this vision into reality through service, good governance, and public participation.
I have always said that “Nation First” is not merely a slogan but the fundamental guiding principle of every citizen’s life. When the nation comes first, service becomes a value, duty becomes our identity, and development becomes our collective mission. I am confident that through the combined efforts of Uttarakhand’s youth, women, and dedicated citizens, we will certainly achieve the goal of a Developed Uttarakhand and a Developed India.
On the launch of the Seva Pakhwada, I appeal to all of you to consider service not merely as a responsibility but as your highest duty. Ensuring that every eligible citizen receives the benefits of government schemes with sensitivity, transparency, and timeliness will be the greatest success of this campaign.
Let us all resolve to build an Uttarakhand that is a leader in development, a model of good governance, an example of women’s empowerment, an inspiration to the world in environmental conservation, and a powerful symbol of national unity. This will be our greatest contribution towards realizing the national vision of Viksit Uttarakhand and Viksit Bharat 2047.
In conclusion, I once again extend my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami on his historic achievement of becoming the longest-serving Chief Minister in Uttarakhand’s history. I also convey my best wishes for the success of the ‘Government for Every Citizen, At Every Doorstep’ campaign and the ‘Seva Pakhwada’.
Let us all pledge to embrace service as a value, good governance as our duty, and “Nation First” as the guiding principle of our lives, while contributing our very best towards building a Developed Uttarakhand and a Developed India.
With these words, I conclude my address.
Jai Hind! Jai Uttarakhand!