Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday participated in the International Gita Mahotsav held in Kurukshetra, Haryana, delivering a powerful address that blended spiritual philosophy, cultural identity and assertive governance. Speaking from the sacred land where Lord Krishna is believed to have given the Bhagavad Gita’s timeless guidance to Arjuna, Dhami said that the scripture has today emerged as a global manual for leadership, ethics and management.
Calling the Gita a “universal guidebook,” Dhami said its message of duty, truth, discipline and selfless action continues to illuminate the world. “From childhood, I have drawn strength from the Gita. Every important decision in my life has been shaped by its teachings,” he said, adding that the scripture inspires him to rise above personal gain and work for the nation’s welfare.
Gita as a Pillar of Modern Management Thought
In his address, the Chief Minister noted that as modern life becomes more stressful due to material pursuits, the Gita’s philosophy is gaining renewed relevance. He pointed out that several leading global universities are conducting extensive research on the Gita, which is increasingly being recognised internationally as a seminal text on leadership and crisis management.
“The Gita teaches us how to convert challenges into opportunities. It is not just religious scripture, it is a timeless blueprint for mental clarity, decision-making, and ethical conduct,” Dhami said.
Daily Gita Shloka Recitation Made Mandatory in Uttarakhand Schools
Highlighting his government’s cultural initiatives, Dhami said that Uttarakhand has made Gita shloka recitation compulsory in all schools. He described it as a step toward grounding young minds in India’s civilizational knowledge system.
The Chief Minister added that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has entered a phase of cultural reawakening and is reconnecting with its civilizational roots as it strides toward becoming a global knowledge leader.
Firm Message Against Illegal Encroachment and Forced Conversion
Dhami coupled his spiritual remarks with strong statements on law and order. Reiterating his government’s stand on protecting Uttarakhand’s cultural identity, he declared that the state will not tolerate encroachment, illegal religious conversions, or activities that undermine social harmony.
“Uttarakhand is Devbhoomi, the sacred land of faith and heritage. Preserving its cultural fabric is our top priority,” he said.
He added that the state has:
Enforced one of India’s strictest anti-conversion laws
Passed a strong anti-riot law
Freed over 10,000 acres of government land from encroachment
Become the first state in India to implement a Uniform Civil Code (UCC)
Dhami also issued a clear warning to infiltrators and illegal occupants: “Leave the state or face strict action.”
Presence of Prominent Saints and Leaders
The event saw the presence of several distinguished religious and political figures, including Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Avdheshanand Giri Ji Maharaj, Swami Lokesh Muni, Kumar Rishi, Kapil Puri Ji Maharaj and Baba Bhupendra. The gathering underscored the deep spiritual significance of Kurukshetra as well as the growing national and international prominence of the Gita Mahotsav.
