Dehradun: Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan held a meeting with district magistrates at the Secretariat on Tuesday regarding the “One District One Festival” initiative and promotion of exports of local products from Uttarakhand. He directed all districts to prepare concrete action plans to give national and international recognition to their unique festivals, fairs, culture, and local products.
The Chief Secretary said that one major festival or fair in each district should be developed as a “One District One Festival.” For this, district-wise annual event calendars should be prepared, while ensuring the participation of local people, stakeholders, and Uttarakhandis living outside the state.
He said it is important to give fairs and festivals a permanent character and develop their brand identity so that these events can become symbols of the state in the coming years. He directed that distinctive events such as the Ramman Festival of Chamoli and the Butter Festival of Uttarkashi be promoted on a larger scale.
Emphasis was also placed on making the Sharadotsav festivals of Pauri and Chamoli, Haridwar Mahotsav, Nainital Winter Carnival, and Mussoorie Winter Carnival more attractive and better organized. Directions were also issued to give global recognition to Champawat’s International Angling Meet and increase adventure activities during the Uttarayani Fair.
Permanent Committee to Be Formed for Export Promotion
While reviewing district-wise export potential, the Chief Secretary directed officials to prepare baseline data for each district and formulate export promotion plans based on it. He directed that a permanent committee be constituted under the chairmanship of the Principal Secretary, Planning. Officials and stakeholders from departments including Industries, Forests, and AYUSH will be included in the committee.
Focus on Packaging and Branding of Local Products
The Chief Secretary directed officials to identify local products and pay special attention to their processing, packaging, quality, branding, and marketing. He said the potential of products that have received Geographical Indication (GI) tags should be fully utilized and that each district’s major product should be given a distinctive identity.
He asked district magistrates to share successful experiments and good initiatives being implemented in one district with other districts. Departments will need to make coordinated efforts to connect Uttarakhand’s local products and traditional events not merely with local markets but also with national and international markets.
