On Uttarakhand’s foundation day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made nine requests to the state’s residents and tourists, urging them to contribute to the state’s development and cultural preservation. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami pledged that these requests would be prioritized in the state’s future plans.
PM Modi’s appeals focused on preserving the state’s cultural heritage, particularly its languages like Garhwali, Kumauni, and Jaunsari, and promoting environmental sustainability. He encouraged locals to teach these dialects to future generations and take action to protect the environment by planting trees in the name of mothers, conserving water, and converting old homes into “home stays” to generate extra income.
For tourists, PM Modi emphasized avoiding single-use plastic, spending at least 5% of their travel budget on local products under the ‘Vocal for Local’ initiative, respecting traffic rules, and maintaining decorum at pilgrimage sites.
The chief minister announced that the state government would implement these requests, which aim to enhance both the local community and environmental well-being. Uttarakhand has seen a surge in tourism, with nearly 6 crore visitors expected by the end of 2024, up from 5.96 crore in 2023, marking a 61.79% increase since 2018.
