Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami celebrated Diwali with soldiers of the Garhwal Regiment at Garhwal Greens training ground in Garhi Cantt, Dehradun, on November 7, 2026.
Dhami personally served sweets to the troops and extended his Diwali greetings. He also spoke with the soldiers and thanked them for their courage, valour and dedication to protecting the country.
The chief minister said being among the Garhwal Regiment personnel gave him the feeling of celebrating the festival with his own family. He said soldiers were part of his family because they remained away from their homes during festivals while carrying out their duty.
Tribute to soldiers and their families
Dhami said the happiness of festivals comes from being with loved ones. He added that soldiers’ decision to protect the country while citizens celebrate with their families represents an exceptional example of duty and patriotism.
He said the lamps lit in people’s homes during Diwali also reflect the sacrifice of soldiers and the contribution of their families. Their families support them while they remain deployed to safeguard the nation, he said.
The chief minister also spoke about his own connection with the armed forces. He said he was born into a military family and that his father’s lessons about national service, discipline and duty remain among the most valuable influences in his life.
Dhami recalled that his father often told him stories of the bravery of Garhwal Regiment soldiers. He particularly referred to Param Vir Chakra recipient and martyr Jaswant Singh Rawat, whose courage and sacrifice at the Nuranang during the 1962 India-China war remain a proud chapter in Indian military history.
Being among the soldiers of the same regiment, Dhami said, reminded him of his father’s words and made the occasion both a matter of pride and an emotional moment. He paid tribute to Jaswant Singh Rawat and all soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice in defence of the motherland.
Government measures for military families
Dhami described the history of the Garhwal Regiment as a record of courage, discipline, patriotism and sacrifice. He said its soldiers had demonstrated bravery and commitment from the First and Second World Wars through various wars and military operations after independence.
He said Uttarakhand’s identity as a land of valour was reflected in generations of people who placed the nation first and duty above all else.
The chief minister said India’s military strength and strategic capability were continuously being strengthened under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. Referring to the surgical strike, air strike and Operation Sindoor, he said India had made clear that national security would not be compromised.
Dhami said the welfare and dignity of serving soldiers, ex-servicemen and their families remained among the state government’s highest priorities. He said the ex-gratia payment for the dependants of martyred soldiers had been increased from ₹10 lakh to ₹50 lakh.
Under the provision for appointing one family member of a martyred soldier to government service, several dependants have received government employment, he said. The application period for the provision has also been extended from 2 years to 5 years.
Dhami said construction of the Sainyadham in Dehradun was almost complete. He described it as a symbol of the courage, sacrifice and service of soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice in defence of the country.
The event was attended by Garhwal Divisional Commissioner Anand Swarup, Inspector General of Police, Garhwal Range, Rajiv Swarup, and Deputy General Officer Commanding of Uttarakhand Sub Area Brigadier R.S. Thapa.
Colonel Pratul Thapliyal, Lieutenant Colonel Ravi Mohan Bisht, Lieutenant Colonel Mohit Joshi, Lieutenant Colonel S.S. Siddiqui, Major K.D. Singh and Subedar Major Raghuvir Singh Bhandari were also present, along with other military officers and personnel.
Conclusion
The Dehradun Diwali gathering brought the chief minister together with Garhwal Regiment troops and highlighted the sacrifices of soldiers, support from their families and state measures for the dependants of martyred personnel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Where did Pushkar Singh Dhami celebrate Diwali with soldiers?
He celebrated Diwali at the Garhwal Greens training ground in Garhi Cantt, Dehradun.
Q. What did the chief minister do during the event?
He served sweets to the soldiers, wished them for Diwali and spoke with them about their service.
Q. Which soldier did Dhami recall during his remarks?
He recalled martyr Jaswant Singh Rawat, a Param Vir Chakra recipient who displayed courage at the Nuranang during the 1962 India-China war.
Q. What is the revised ex-gratia amount for dependants of martyred soldiers?
The amount has been increased from ₹10 lakh to ₹50 lakh.
Q. What change was made to the government-job application period?
The application period for the provision allowing one family member of a martyred soldier to receive government employment was extended from 2 years to 5 years.
Q. What did Dhami say about the Sainyadham in Dehradun?
He said its construction was almost complete and that it would symbolise the courage, sacrifice and service of soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice.
