my uttarakhand news Bureau
Dehradun, 6 Feb: Dehradun witnessed a strong assertion of cultural identity when the Congress organised a programme to mark the anniversary of Uttarakhand’s state song at a wedding point near Balliwala Chowk here today. The event, titled ‘Uttarakhand State Song Anniversary Programme’, was coordinated by Congress spokesperson Abhinav Thapar. The speakers at the programme alleged that the official state song, which gives voice to Uttarakhand’s cultural identity, folk consciousness and the soul of Devbhoomi, is facing systematic neglect at the hands of the present BJP government.
The song “Uttarakhand Devbhoomi–Matribhoomi” was dedicated to the people of the state on 6 February 2016, by the then Chief Minister Harish Rawat, after nearly 15 years of the formation of Uttarakhand. The Congress said it is unfortunate that for almost a decade the current state government has deliberately pushed the state song into obscurity and relegated it to the margins of official programmes. The song features meaningful lyrics by noted lyricist Hemant Bisht of Nainital, music direction and vocals by noted folk singer and Garh Ratna Narendra Singh Negi, and a powerful rendition by Anuradha Nirala. The committee constituted for the selection of the state song was chaired by senior litterateur Laxman Singh Batrohi, with Narendra Singh Negi himself being a member. The song is widely regarded as a living document of Uttarakhand’s folk culture, faith, natural heritage and traditions.
Today’s programme began with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp by the guests, following which Congress workers collectively rendered the state song once again before the public. Former Chief Minister Harish Rawat and Pradesh Congress President Ganesh Godiyal were present on the occasion, while the programme was presided over by Gadratna Narendra Singh Negi.
Addressing the gathering, former Chief Minister Harish Rawat said that Uttarakhand had received a state song reflecting its true identity 15 years after its formation. Rawat asserted that the song does not belong to any one government but is a shared heritage of the entire state. He said narrow political thinking and competition for credit have led the BJP government to forget the state song, which amounts to injustice to the emotions and spirit of Uttarakhand.
Addressing the gathering, Narendra Singh Negi became emotional as he sang a few lines of the state song and said he had composed it as a service to his motherland. He stated that he did not take even Re 1 from the government for creating the song, as it was an offering to his state. He said it is extremely painful and unfortunate that such a song has been consigned to the cold storage. He added that he is personally deeply hurt by the neglect of the state song.
PCC Chief Ganesh Godiyal said suppressing the state song is equivalent to suppressing Uttarakhand’s cultural consciousness. He alleged that the present government wants to bury every symbol associated with the state’s identity and questioned why a song that does not glorify any political party should be objectionable to the state government. He asked whether Uttarakhand’s identity is meant to be limited only to election slogans and whether the state’s culture, language and emotions have no value. He also questioned what fear or hostility has led to the disappearance of the state song from official functions.
Congress spokesperson and programme convener Abhinav Thapar said the party makes it clear that the state song does not belong to any political organisation but to the entire people of Uttarakhand, and that ignoring it is an offence against the soul of Devbhoomi, which will not be tolerated.
Among those present on the occasion were senior Congress leaders and office-bearers including senior spokesperson Garima Dasauni, Seva Dal president Hema Purohit, spokesperson Mohan Kala, general secretary Naveen Joshi, Youth Congress Mahanagar president Mohit Mehta, Swati Negi, councillor Abhishek Tiwari, advocate Nitin Chanchal, Suraj Chhetri, councillor Ramesh Kumar Mangu, Hari Kishan Bhatt, Sanjay Sharma, Virendra Pokhariyal, Ashish Desai, block president Pramod Gupta, Pia Thapa, Rajeev Chaudhary, Twinkle Arora, Arun Sharma, Ritesh Chhetri, Piyush Joshi, Suleman Ali, Babban Sati, Vaibhav Sonkar, Dr Sonia Anand Rawat and a large number of other Congress leaders and the party workers.
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