Chief Minister urges people to follow the path of truth, righteousness and moral conduct
Dehradun, October 2026: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday attended the Dussehra festival organised by the Bannu Biradari at Parade Ground in Dehradun.
Extending Vijayadashami greetings to the people of the state, Dhami wished everyone happiness, peace, prosperity and well-being. He also congratulated the office-bearers and members of the Bannu Biradari, along with the organising committee, for successfully conducting the festival.
The Chief Minister said Vijayadashami reminds people of the power of truth and the importance of righteousness. The story of Lord Shri Ram and Ravana teaches that no matter how powerful arrogance and unrighteousness may be, truth and righteousness ultimately prevail.
He observed that Ravana possessed immense wealth, strength and a vast army, but his arrogance and violation of moral boundaries led to his downfall. Dharma and good conduct, he said, are the greatest strengths in life.
Lord Ram established enduring ideals of sacrifice, self-restraint, duty and adherence to moral values through his conduct. Dhami cited Ram’s decision to give up royal comforts and accept 14 years of exile to honour his father’s promise as an example of his unwavering commitment to duty and principles.
Dussehra is an occasion for self-reflection
Dhami said Dussehra was not merely a festival commemorating the burning of Ravana’s effigy but also an opportunity for introspection and self-purification. He urged people to resolve to overcome arrogance, anger, greed and other negative tendencies within themselves.
He stressed that the participation of every member of society was essential to eliminating social evils such as corruption, injustice, substance abuse and violence against women.
The Chief Minister said the state government was committed to preserving Uttarakhand’s cultural heritage, religious traditions and social harmony while maintaining peace, security and law and order.
Over 13,000 acres of government land freed from encroachment
The Chief Minister said a comprehensive campaign had been undertaken to remove encroachments from government land across the state, resulting in the recovery of more than 13,000 acres.
He said a stringent anti-riot law had also been implemented to recover compensation from those responsible for damaging public and private property during riots.
Action was being taken in accordance with the law against those who misled or defrauded people in the name of religion and faith, he added.
Dhami described the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code as an important initiative towards strengthening equality and justice. He said the government aimed to protect every citizen’s rights while ensuring a safe and harmonious environment throughout the state.
Quality education and transparent recruitment are priorities
The Chief Minister emphasised the need to provide every child in Uttarakhand with quality, modern education based on scientific thinking. Developing knowledge, innovation and logical reasoning among children to prepare them for future challenges was among the government’s priorities, he said.
He added that transparency had been ensured in recruitment processes to protect the future of young people, while a stringent anti-copying law had been introduced to curb examination irregularities.
More than 35,000 young people had been appointed to government services over the past five years, Dhami said. The government was committed to ensuring equal opportunities for young people to progress on the basis of their qualifications, hard work and talent.
Focus on good governance and economic growth
Dhami said good governance rested on transparency, accountability and a commitment to public welfare. Following a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption, the state government was working to ensure that the benefits of public welfare schemes reached eligible beneficiaries.
He said expanding investment, entrepreneurship and employment opportunities was essential for the state’s economic progress. Local traders, entrepreneurs and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) played an important role in strengthening Uttarakhand’s economy.
The government was working to create new employment opportunities for young people alongside economic growth and ensure the participation of all sections of society in the state’s development, he added.
Ram Rajya based on justice and public welfare
The Chief Minister said the concept of Ram Rajya, inspired by Lord Ram’s ideals, was founded on justice, good governance, equality and public welfare.
Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the state government was working continuously towards its goal of making Uttarakhand one of the country’s leading states, he said.
Dhami stressed that preserving the state’s cultural identity, spiritual traditions and natural heritage was as important as pursuing development. Uttarakhand’s rich culture and spiritual traditions, he said, were central to its identity and strength.
He appealed to the people to embrace Lord Ram’s ideals and commit themselves to truth, righteousness, moral conduct and dedication to duty on the occasion of Vijayadashami.
Through collective efforts, he said, Uttarakhand could be developed into a state where everyone received justice, young people had opportunities to progress, women enjoyed a safe environment and the benefits of development reached the last person in society.
He said this would represent true devotion to Lord Ram’s ideals and the real message of Vijayadashami.
Cabinet Minister Khajan Das, office-bearers and members of the Bannu Biradari, representatives of the organising committee, prominent citizens and a large number of local residents attended the event.
