The 19th Uttarakhand Foundation Day was celebrated with pomp and show in different parts of the hill state. The main function was hosted at the Police Lines in Dehradun on Friday. The police women pipe band, dog show, anti-terrorist squad demo, SDRF demo, motorcycling and horse riding regaled the audience. Uttarakhand was carved out of Uttar Pradesh on 9 November 2000.

Uttarakhand Governor Baby Rani Maurya inspected and took the salute of the ceremonial parade held on the 18th anniversary of the State Foundation Day at Police Lines. The Governor also honoured three “President Police Medal” recipients and 18 “Police Medal” recipients for their meritorious services. On this occasion, Manoj Kumar Thakur, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Uttarkashi, and Sanjay Kumar, Inspector Police Station Sitarganj, were felicitated for special investigation and best police station, respectively.

Governor Baby Rani Maurya said, “I saluted the statehood agitation activists. On the occasion of completion of 18 years, we have to honestly evaluate and have to set the target for moving forward. In 18 years of its foundation, Uttarakhand has performed well on many parameters of development but there are still many challenges that need to be addressed.”

The Governor said there was need to bridge the gap between socio-economic development of the state between the plains and hill areas of the state. This work can be done only by providing employment to the women and youth in hill areas. She called upon the youth to contribute to the development of the state and the country. While mentioning the contribution of mother power in the creation of state, Governor called upon to make “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” campaign 100 per cent successful.

Greeted all the people of the state formation day, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said, “. We have faith that the state will continue to progress. We also pay tribute to those young people, who sacrificed their lives for the state.” Later the Chief Minister visited the Court Complex, Dehradun and paid rich tributes at the State Agitator Martyrs Memorial.