Uttarakhand Foundation Day 2024: 11 Facts You Need to Know About Devbhumi

November 9 is the Statehood Day of Uttarakhand. This is the day when Uttarakhand region became an independent state of India in 2000. Here are a few highlights of the day and its importance:

Dates and historical background

Founding Day: November 9, 2024. This is the 24th anniversary of Uttarakhand’s 27th anniversary.

Background: The Uttar Pradesh government’s apparent neglect of the hilly region fueled the demand for a separate state, thereby fueling a long campaign for statehood that culminated in the creation of Uttarakhand under the Uttar Pradesh Reorganization Act, 2000.

significance

Cultural Heritage: Uttarakhand is famous for its numerous Hindu places of worship and good cultural heritage. The state is known as Devbhumi or the “Land of the Gods”. This day is a day to pay tribute to the country’s heritage and the spiritual strength of its people.

Celebrations: Cultural events, parades and cultural exhibitions with traditional music, songs, dances and local customs mark the day.

key themes

Unity and Struggle: This day symbolizes people’s unity and struggle for rights and better governance.

Promoting Development: The celebrations also focus on sustainable development, tourism and maintaining the environment that honors Uttarakhand.

Prime Minister’s speech

On the occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned the importance of the next decade for the development of Uttarakhand by citing the commitment of infrastructure development and ecological conservation. He asked citizens to preserve their cultural heritage and promote local economic development through tourism.

Here are 11 key facts about this historical event and country, also known as “Devbhumi” or the “Land of the Gods.”

1. History

On November 9, 2000, Uttarakhand became India’s latest 19th state, following nearly two decades of demands for a separate state based on numerous cultural and administrative differences.

2. Name change

The state was initially renamed Uttaranchal, but since 2007 it is known colloquially as Uttarakhand to represent its cultural heritage and identity.

3. Cultural Importance

Uttarakhand is of great cultural significance as it encompasses the diverse cultures of the people living here, mainly the Garwali and Kumauni peoples.

4. Shrine

The state consists of many important Hindu holy places: Char Dham (Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri), which makes the state spiritually important.

5. Natural look

The scenery depicted here includes stunning mountain vistas, dense forest cover and wildlife species. Two places included in the UNESCO World Heritage List are the Valley of Flowers and Nanda Devi National Park.

6. Demographics

The last census conducted in 2011 estimated Uttarakhand’s population at around 10 million. A large proportion of the population lives in rural areas. The sex ratio is 963 women for every 1,000 men.

7. Economic development

The country has made huge strides in tourism and connectivity. It enhances road and rail infrastructure and connects it to natural beauty. By 2024, it will receive approximately 100 million visitors.

8. Climate

The climate of Uttarakhand varies because of its diverse topography, with subtropical areas at lower altitudes and alpine areas at higher altitudes. This climate diversity expands the range of biodiversity and ecosystem wealth.

9. Educational institutions

There are many other outstanding higher education and research institutions in the state.

10. Festival

Uttarakhand Foundation Day hosts various cultural events, parades and debates on sustainable development and conservation issues in the state.

11. Future Outlook

Its achievements in tourism and infrastructure development still face outstanding challenges in areas such as health care and education. Due to continued migration from rural areas, full-time capital was considered but not yet implemented.

Uttarakhand Statehood Day celebrates the founding of the state but also brings further efforts towards the development of the state and preservation of its identity.