In a solemn ceremony held in Lansdowne, Pauri Garhwal, on Sunday, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in the Shaheed Samman programme to honour the sacrifices of martyrs. He paid tribute to the indomitable courage of soldiers and announced a series of measures aimed at supporting ex-servicemen, their families and the construction of the state’s Sainik Dham.
Our correspondent reports that Dhami presented commemorative copper plaques and shawls to the families and dependants of martyrs. He also inspected the Army band and paid floral tribute at the memorial of Amar Shaheed Gabbar Singh Negi, a Param Vir Chakra awardee, stating that it was because of such brave sons that the nation remains secure.
During the programme, Dhami lit a ceremonial lamp before urns filled with sacred soil collected from the courtyards of martyrs across districts. These urns will be placed at the grand Sainik Dham being built in Dehradun, which the Chief Minister described as not merely a structure but a living symbol of immortal souls that would inspire generations.
Our correspondent adds that the Chief Minister made several important announcements. He pledged the renovation of the soldiers’ rest house in Kotdwar with modern facilities, the establishment of common service centres in directorates and district offices for ex-servicemen and Veer Naris, financial support for the renovation of the Garhwal Rifles Regimental Centre Museum in Lansdowne, and the upgradation of the Primary Health Centre at Jaiharikhal.
He further declared that schools and roads would be named in honour of martyrs, including Government Inter College Kartiya after Shaheed Kamal Singh Rawat and High School Dobraysar after Shaheed Anuj Singh Negi. Other facilities and roads will also be renamed in memory of soldiers such as Shaheed Keshavanand Dhyani, Shaheed Harish Joshi and Shaheed Khushal Singh Negi.
Dhami announced that all Second World War veterans and their widows will now receive honour grants without earlier restrictions on external funding. He also highlighted enhanced benefits: ex-gratia to martyrs’ families increased from ₹10 lakh to ₹50 lakh, ₹1.5 crore for Param Vir Chakra awardees, ₹10,000 assistance for funerals and up to 25 percent rebate in stamp duty on land purchase for soldiers.
Our correspondent reports that Dhami said nearly every household in Uttarakhand has a member with a military background, and the government continues to work for their welfare. He recalled that 28 dependants of martyrs have already been given appointments in government service, while 13 more cases are under process. The application period for such appointments has also been extended from two years to five.
Sainik Kalyan Minister Ganesh Joshi announced the successful conclusion of Shaheed Samman Yatra 2.0 in Lansdowne, which began from Dehradun on 25 September. He said that soil from the courtyards of 71 martyrs has been collected for installation at the Amar Jawan Jyoti before the inauguration of the Sainik Dham.
Speakers including Rajya Sabha MP Mahendra Bhatt and MLA Dilip Singh Rawat paid tributes to the valour of soldiers, emphasising that Uttarakhand is not only Devbhoomi but also Veerbhoomi. They said that the sacrifices of martyrs enable citizens to breathe freely in an independent nation.
Our correspondent adds that the event also showcased a special video clip highlighting the history and contributions of Uttarakhand’s soldiers, moving the audience to pay silent homage. Officials, dignitaries, Army officers, local representatives and the families of martyrs attended the gathering, which was described as both a tribute and a reaffirmation of collective resolve for the Sainik Dham.
