PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Dehradun The Vice- President of India CP Radhakrishnan has said that creation of Uttarakhand was a democratic response to the long-standing aspirations of the people of the mountainous areas and reaffirmed the strength of India’s federal system. He was addressing a programme organised by a media house to commemorate the completion of 25 years of the formation of the State on Saturday. Sharing his personal experience with the process of formation of Uttarakhand the Vice- President said 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 Uttarakhand, the VP said the State occupies a special place in India’s civilizational consciousness. Referring to Vedic and Puranic traditions, he noted that Uttarakhand reflects the essence of Satyam, Shivam and Sundaram. He underlined the ecological importance of the State, pointing out that its glaciers, rivers and forests sustain life far beyond its geographical boundaries. The VP said that under the visionary leadership of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Pushkar Singh Dhami, the State has witnessed unprecedented progress in road, rail and air connectivity. While emphasising development, the VP 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 (GEP) alongside Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The VP appreciated the significant contribution of the State to national security, noting that a large number of officers in the Indian armed forces hail from Uttarakhand. Referring to Uttarakhand’s strategic importance, the Vice President 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’. On India’s journey towards becoming an Aatmanirbhar and Viksit Bharat by 2047, he 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. He observed that newspapers should consciously spread positivity, especially among the youth, as exposure to constructive and inspirational stories would motivate young citizens to contribute more actively to nation-building. The event was attended by the Governor lieutenant general (retd) Gurmit Singh, CM Pushkar Singh Dhami and others.
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