Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami attended the Kumaon Dwar Mahotsav in Haldwani as chief guest, welcoming visitors and praising the organisers’ work to preserve and promote the state’s folk culture, traditions and arts.
Dhami said Haldwani is not only the gateway to Kumaon but also holds special importance for people from the hill regions. He described the city and the festival as a platform for Kumaon’s cultural heritage, traditional lifestyle and distinctive folk arts.
The large public presence at the event, he said, reflected the continuing connection between Uttarakhand’s people and their cultural roots. He specifically praised the Vaidehi Cultural Education and Art Foundation for using folk music and dance to introduce younger generations to the state’s heritage.
Folk traditions take centre stage
Dhami said folk performers are helping give Uttarakhand’s culture a wider identity and taking its traditions to audiences across India and abroad. He highlighted the diversity of the state’s cultural forms, saying its songs and dances reflect mountain life, natural beauty, changing seasons, popular faiths and the region’s history.
He referred to Chholiya, Jhora, Chanchari, Barda Nati and Nyoli as important folk traditions. He also mentioned Beda, Mangal and Chaiti songs as traditional forms that remain part of Uttarakhand’s social and cultural life.
Traditional instruments, including the dhol, damau, turri, bhankora and ransingha, also give the state’s folk culture a distinctive character, the chief minister said. Their sounds reflect local life, beliefs and customs in the hills.
According to Dhami, digital technology and social media are helping Uttarakhand’s folk music reach audiences beyond the state and gain recognition nationally and internationally.
Chief minister outlines government measures
The chief minister also used the occasion to highlight decisions taken by the state government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. He said the government had taken important steps towards implementing a Uniform Civil Code, creating a strict anti-conversion law, enforcing an anti-riot law and advancing a stronger land law.
Dhami said these measures were intended to protect the cultural identity of Devbhoomi while also safeguarding the future of its young people. He pointed to the strict anti-cheating law introduced to curb recruitment examination malpractice.
He said the law had contributed to progress towards greater transparency and fairness in recruitment processes. The government, he added, would not hesitate to take major decisions considered necessary for Uttarakhand’s interests.
Dhami said the interests of the state must remain above political power, public welfare above politics and national interest above vote-bank politics.
References to state movement and sensitive cases
The chief minister referred to the Rampur Tiraha firing during the Uttarakhand statehood movement. He said people still remember the struggle and sacrifices of the activists who faced hardships while campaigning for the creation of Uttarakhand.
He added that comments concerning the dignity of the people of Uttarakhand become particularly sensitive against such historical events. Dhami also referred to National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and said political statements about people dedicated to the country’s security should respect national interest and the standards of public life.
The chief minister further mentioned the Ankita Bhandari case, saying that securing justice for a daughter is a serious responsibility for society and the system. He stressed that judicial procedure, facts and evidence should remain the priority in such a sensitive matter.
Dhami referred to the punishment handed down by the court and to judicial proceedings concerning bail applications in the case. He said due respect should be given to a process conducted according to law.
Conclusion
The Kumaon Dwar Mahotsav brought together a celebration of Uttarakhand’s folk heritage and a wider message from the chief minister on cultural preservation, youth opportunities, government policy and respect for legal processes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Where was the Kumaon Dwar Mahotsav held?
The festival was held in Haldwani, Uttarakhand.
Q. What role did Pushkar Singh Dhami have at the festival?
The Uttarakhand chief minister attended as the chief guest.
Q. Which organisation did Dhami praise?
He praised the Vaidehi Cultural Education and Art Foundation for promoting folk music and dance among young people.
Q. Which folk traditions did Dhami mention?
He mentioned Chholiya, Jhora, Chanchari, Barda Nati and Nyoli, along with Beda, Mangal and Chaiti songs.
Q. Which traditional instruments were highlighted?
He referred to the dhol, damau, turri, bhankora and ransingha.
Q. What government measures did Dhami discuss?
He discussed steps towards a Uniform Civil Code, a strict anti-conversion law, an anti-riot law, a stronger land law and an anti-cheating law.
Q. Which historical event did the chief minister mention?
He referred to the Rampur Tiraha firing during the Uttarakhand statehood movement.
Q. What did Dhami say about the Ankita Bhandari case?
He said judicial procedure, facts and evidence should remain the priority and that the legal process should be respected.
