Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami attends 'Pratibha Samman Ceremony' in Roorkee
Roorkee, July 27
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday participated in the 'Pratibha Samman Ceremony' organised by Vidya Bharati Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Sansthan at the Government Secondary School in Roorkee, Haridwar district.
In a post on X, CM Dhami emphasised that the Uttarakhand government has worked to give national and global recognition to the state's rich cultural heritage, traditional handicrafts, and local products.
"In this regard, 27 products from the state have received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag. Along with establishing the unique identity of these products, local producers, farmers, artisans, and people associated with handicrafts are gaining access to new markets, better prices, and greater employment opportunities," he said.
Earlier on July 25, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in the state-level workshop of the Samrasta Sankalp Abhiyan, organised to mark the 650th birth anniversary year of Sant Shiromani Guru Ravidas Maharaj at a local hotel on Tyagi Road in Dehradun.
Paying tribute to the revered saint, the Chief Minister said that Guru Ravidas' teachings and ideals remain timeless and highly relevant for society.
The Chief Minister said that the life of Sant Ravidas symbolises India's rich cultural tradition that has guided society towards equality, humanity, social justice, and harmony. Through his teachings and exemplary life, he inspired people to rise above social evils such as untouchability, discrimination, and caste-based inequality.
He emphasised that Guru Ravidas believed a person's identity should be defined not by caste but by character, actions, and values.
Dhami said Guru Ravidas advocated simple devotion, free from rituals and pretence, with a pure heart as the foundation of life. Referring to his famous message, "Man Changa To Kathauti Mein Ganga" ("If the mind is pure, the Ganges flows even in a bowl"), the Chief Minister said the saint's teachings continue to inspire inner purity and social harmony.
He added that Guru Ravidas envisioned an egalitarian society where every individual is treated with dignity, discrimination has no place, and no one goes hungry. His concept of Begampura, a society free from sorrow and inequality, continues to serve as a guiding ideal.
The Chief Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country is translating Guru Ravidas' ideals of social harmony and Antyodaya into action.
— ANI
Reader Comments
The mention of Guru Ravidas's teachings really resonated with me. "Man Changa To Kathauti Mein Ganga" is such a powerful message for today's divisive times. Good that the CM is linking education with social harmony. But actions speak louder than words – hope the government actually implements programs to combat caste discrimination in schools.
Interesting to see how Indian states are leveraging GI tags for economic growth. Back in the US, we have similar programs for regional products like Vermont maple syrup. The focus on local artisans is commendable – it preserves culture while creating livelihoods. Do these products get exported internationally? 🇮🇳
Honestly, these Pratibha Samman ceremonies are good photo ops but I hope the students also get real career guidance and scholarships. Uttarakhand's youth often have to move out for jobs. The GI tags are fine, but we need more industries here. Also, good to see Guru Ravidas being honored – Babasaheb Ambedkar would have approved 😊
As someone who visited Rishikesh recently, I loved the local handicrafts. The GI tag concept sounds brilliant – it protects traditional knowledge from being copied. Does Uttarakhand have specific programs to teach young people these crafts? Would be a shame if these skills die out with the older generation.
The CM's emphasis on Guru Ravidas's egalitarian vision is timely. But let's not forget that in many schools, especially in rural areas, caste discrimination still happens silently. Recognising students from all backgrounds is important, but true 'prat
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.