Tanakpur: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami offered prayers with full rituals at the sacred Mata Rankochi Temple in Champawat district, praying for the happiness and prosperity of the state. He also participated in a public dialogue program held at the temple premises, interacting directly with the local people. Chief Minister Dhami participated in the public dialogue program held in villages Riyasi, Bamangaon, Tok-Khet (Champawat) and also took part in the Kalash Yatra (procession) organized at the Mata Rankochi Temple premises, offering prayers with complete rituals.
Under the Chief Minister’s “Culture Promotion Initiative,” Chief Minister Dhami distributed “Art, Tradition and Identity” kits to the priests of historical temples in Champawat district. These kits included musical instruments, religious books, puja materials, and other cultural items. The objective of this initiative is to realize the resolution of a drug-free India and a drug-free Devbhoomi (Uttarakhand). Following this, the Chief Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 20 development projects worth a total of ₹17014.89 lakh in Champawat district from the Mata Rankochi Temple premises.
These include the inauguration of 9 schemes costing ₹3395.05 lakh, which include the construction of an outer wall, two rooms and beautification of the Ghatotkach Temple complex, construction of a cultural stage near the Lohaghat Ramlila ground, a Sainik Rest House in Tanakpur, parking construction at Shri Purnagiri Dham Tunyas, car parking at Reetha Sahib Champawat, Lafda-Syuli-Budakhet motor road, Khiri village to Dhauni Shilling motor road in the Pancheshwar area, Kalshan Thotha to Banoli Sudarka and Thatha motor road in the Lohaghat area, and the reconstruction and improvement of the Marodakhan to Abutment motor road. In this sequence, the foundation stone was laid for 11 schemes costing ₹13619.84 lakh, including the rural motor road from Birgul to Kanyuda, the Ramaila to Baleshwar motor road, the construction of two rooms at Raumaavi Dayartoli, a glamping site on the Saryu riverbank in Panthyuda, the Purnagiri Tehsil Revenue Building, a new State Guest House in Tanakpur, 480-meter and 120-meter long bridges over the Kiroda drain in Gram Panchayat Nayakgoth, the Palyon Kaljakh to Amoda motor road, 10 km of internal road improvement in Banbasa rural areas, construction work in the Kalsan Bholeshwar area, and the reconstruction of the Rankochi temple from a tourism perspective.
During the program, the Chief Minister distributed certificates and assistance materials to beneficiaries of various departments.
Those who received certificates under the Uniform Civil Code included Smt. Kunti Devi and Basanti Devi (village Tarkuli), Smt. Lakshmi Devi and Smt. Babita Devi (village Riyasi Bamangaon).
Tool kits from the Labour Department were given to Shri Nanda Belwal, Ms. Geeta and Ms. Bhagirathi Devi (Tanankpur).
Smt. Hema Devi, Smt. Rajni Devi and Smt. Basanti Devi, who performed outstanding work in Self-Help Groups, were honored.
Under the Animal Welfare Department, dummy checks were given to Dhanna Devi, Meena Devi and Lakshmi Devi.
The Social Welfare Department distributed wheelchairs, hearing aids and walking sticks to 7 beneficiaries.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami made 7 important announcements for the development of Champawat:
- Flood protection works will be carried out in Seem, Khet, Chuka and Saurai areas.
- Various temples in the Talladesh region will be beautified.
- A sum of ₹2.5 crore will be provided for the smooth conduct of the Purnagiri Fair 2026.
- The Manchkari motor road and the Ramaila-Gagri-Damtola motor road of Champawat Assembly constituency will be blacktopped. 5. The under-construction Critical Care Unit at Champawat District Hospital will be expanded to include a lift and other patient facilities.
- An Ayushman Arogya Mandir (ANM Sub-center) will be established in Gram Sabha Need.
- 15 Nali of land will be provided for the construction of an Integrated Sainik Complex in Champawat.
Addressing the public interaction program, the Chief Minister said that Champawat is a land rich in faith, culture, and history, where faith is not merely a means of worship but a consciousness that guides life. He said that the true strength of any state lies in its culture. The development of the Mata Rankochi Temple is not just a construction project but a powerful effort towards cultural renaissance.
The Chief Minister praised the Champawat district administration under the leadership of District Magistrate Manish Kumar, stating that the government’s core principle is “Government for the people, at the doorstep of the people.” Through the public interaction programs organized at the Nyaya Panchayat level in Champawat district, a large number of public grievances have been resolved, and eligible individuals have received the benefits of various schemes.
Chief Minister Dhami said that with the combined efforts of faith, culture, dialogue, and development, Champawat district will become an ideal, strong, and self-reliant district of Uttarakhand in the coming years. He urged all citizens to strengthen their resolve for cultural preservation, development, and public participation.
