Vice-President Inaugurates Jagran Forum In Dehradun, Calls For Positive Nation-Building
The Vice-President of India, C. P. Radhakrishnan, on Saturday inaugurated the Jagran Forum in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, organised to mark the completion of 25 years of the formation of the State. Addressing the inaugural programme, he described Uttarakhand as a land that embodies sacrifice, resilience and national service, and congratulated the people of the State on the milestone.
Recalling the creation of Uttarakhand, the Vice-President said the formation of the State was a democratic response to the long-standing aspirations of the people of the hills and reaffirmed the strength of India’s federal system. He also shared his personal association with the process, noting that he had voted in favour of the Bill for the creation of Uttarakhand while serving as a Member of the Lok Sabha.
Highlighting the spiritual and cultural significance of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand, the Vice-President said the State occupies a special place in India’s civilisational consciousness. Referring to Vedic and Puranic traditions, he said Uttarakhand reflects the essence of Satyam, Shivam and Sundaram. He also underlined the ecological importance of the State, pointing out that its glaciers, rivers and forests sustain life far beyond its geographical boundaries.
The Vice-President said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Uttarakhand has witnessed unprecedented progress in road, rail, air and communication connectivity.
While emphasising development, he also highlighted the importance of environmental responsibility. He appreciated Uttarakhand’s efforts in promoting green development, particularly in the field of solar energy, and lauded the State for being the first in the country to conceptualise Gross Environmental Product alongside Gross Domestic Product.
The Vice-President also acknowledged the significant contribution of Uttarakhand to national security, noting that a large number of officers in the Indian Armed Forces hail from the State.
Referring to Uttarakhand’s strategic importance, he described the vibrant border villages not as the last outposts, but as the first line of strength, heritage and resilience, recalling the Prime Minister’s vision of describing Mana village as the “first village of India”.
Looking ahead to India’s journey towards becoming an Aatmanirbhar and Viksit Bharat by 2047, the Vice-President said Uttarakhand occupies a unique position with its vast potential in renewable energy, organic agriculture, horticulture, traditional knowledge systems, AYUSH, ecotourism, startups and skill development.
Emphasising the role of the media as the fourth pillar of democracy, the Vice-President said it acts as a bridge between the people and those in power, strengthening accountability and transparency in governance. While appreciating Dainik Jagran for highlighting positive stories of development, he urged media organisations to regularly dedicate space to positive and development-oriented news. He said newspapers should consciously spread positivity, especially among the youth, as constructive and inspirational stories would motivate young citizens to contribute more actively to nation-building.
Further, the Vice-President expressed confidence that the deliberations at the Jagran Forum would generate new ideas for the continued progress of Uttarakhand.
The event was attended by the Governor of Uttarakhand, Lieutenant General (Retd.) Gurmit Singh; Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami; senior representatives of Dainik Jagran, including Managing Editor Tarun Gupta and Director Sunil Gupta; and other distinguished guests.
