Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami Launches Golden Jubilee Kunjapuri Fair, Championing Tourism and Local Trade

On a crisp October evening in Narendra Nagar, Uttarakhand’s Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami cut the ceremonial ribbon for the golden‑jubilee edition of the Kunjapuri Tourism and Development Fair. The ambience was festive – colourful tableaux fluttered, stalls brimmed with regional crafts, and a gentle hum of excitement filled the air.

Dhami, after taking a moment to pay floral tribute at the Martyrs’ Memorial and the Freedom Fighters’ Memorial, lit a lamp before a portrait of the revered Maa Kunjapuri. He then walked the aisles, stopping at departmental booths that showcased upcoming road works, eco‑tourism initiatives and, of course, the myriad local products eager to find new buyers.

"These fairs are more than just entertainment," he told the gathering, his voice carrying a mix of pride and urgency. "They accelerate tourism, spark development, and open markets for our artisans. Young people especially get a chance to reconnect with the roots that bind us together." He added, almost as an aside, that such events help weave a sense of brotherhood across the valleys.

Dhami didn’t shy away from the bigger picture either. He highlighted India’s recent cultural milestones – the long‑awaited Ram temple in Ayodhya, the sprawling Kashi Corridor at Varanasi, and the ambitious master plans reviving Badrinath and Kedarnath in his own state. "When we rebuild sacred spaces and modernise pilgrim routes, we’re saying the nation proudly embraces its heritage while marching forward," he said.

One of the standout statistics he shared was the unprecedented flow of pilgrims on the Char Dham Yatra. More than 5.7 million devotees have trekked the holy circuit this year, smashing previous records, and there are still about forty days left in the pilgrimage season. "It’s a clear sign that Uttarakhand is becoming a magnet for spiritual tourism," Dhami remarked, eyes twinkling.

In closing, the chief minister urged local traders, youth groups and tourism operators to seize the momentum. "Let’s turn this fair into a launchpad – for your crafts, for your stories, for the next wave of visitors who will fall in love with our hills," he concluded, as the crowd broke into applause.