- By Kamakshi Bishnoi
- Sat, 08 Nov 2025 01:41 PM (IST)
- Source:Jagran News Network
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in the Himalayan Ninad Utsav-2025 held at the Himalayan Culture Centre, Garhi Cantt, Dehradun, on the occasion of Uttarakhand’s silver jubilee. Addressing the gathering, he encouraged the artists and announced four key initiatives for the promotion of art, culture, and the welfare of artists.
The Chief Minister announced an increase in the monthly pension for senior and financially weak artists and writers, from Rs 3,000 to Rs 6,000. This benefit will apply to those who have devoted their lives to art, culture, and literature but are now unable to earn a livelihood due to age or ill health.
He further declared that the honorarium and facilities for artists listed under the Culture Department will now be provided on par with those offered by the North Zone Cultural Centre under the Government of India. In addition, auditoriums will be constructed at the district level across the state.
To preserve and showcase Uttarakhand’s rich cultural legacy, Dhami announced the construction of a state-level museum and one divisional museum each in the Kumaon and Garhwal regions.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Minister said that Himalayan Ninad Utsav-2025 is not merely a cultural celebration but a tribute to the spirit of the Himalayas, its traditions, folk music, and collective consciousness. Marking 25 years of Uttarakhand’s formation, he described this as a moment for both celebration and reflection, urging people to renew their commitment toward the state’s progress.
Dhami highlighted that the festival united the diverse cultures of the Himalayan belt, from Tibet’s spiritual heritage to the tribal songs of Arunachal and Manipur, the Khoda dance of Himachal, Assam’s Bihu, and Ladakh’s Jobra dance. “This cultural confluence proves that geographical boundaries cannot divide us, we share a common heritage and Himalayan consciousness,” he said.
He also noted that panel discussions on theatre, cinema, folk language, Nanda Raj Jat, and Himalayan cuisine at Ninad-2025 enriched the event, underscoring that Uttarakhand’s culture thrives not only in tradition but also in creativity and innovation.
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Paying tribute to the statehood movement leaders, Dhami said, “We must remember those who struggled for Uttarakhand’s formation. Their sacrifices inspire us to continue building a prosperous and self-reliant state.”
The event was attended by Rajya Sabha MP and Padma Vibhushan awardee Sonal Mansingh, Rajya Sabha MP Naresh Bansal, Vice-Chairperson of the Sanskrit Literature and Arts Council Madhu Bhatt, Culture Secretary Yugal Kishore Pant, and other dignitaries.