Uttarakhand Diwas 2023: Facts, history, significance and all you need to know about it

Uttarakhand Diwas 2023: Uttarakhand Foundation Day (Uttarakhand Diwas) is a day to celebrate the formation of the 27th state of India, Uttarakhand. It has been observed every year on November 9, since 2000, when the state was carved out of Uttar Pradesh. The people of Uttarakhand mark this day with various events and programs that showcase their culture, history, and achievements. 

The state is known for its natural beauty, spiritual significance, and rich heritage. It is home to many holy places, such as the Char Dham, and the first and oldest national park in India, Jim Corbett. It also has a diverse flora and fauna, with many rare and endangered species.

Significance of Uttarakhand Diwas 

The significance of Uttarakhand Foundation Day is that it marks the creation of the 27th state of India, which was carved out of Uttar Pradesh on November 9, 2000. Uttarakhand is a land of natural beauty, cultural diversity, and religious significance. It is home to the Char Dham, the four sacred Hindu pilgrimage sites of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. It is also known as the "Land of the Gods" because of its rich mythological and historical heritage. Uttarakhand Foundation Day is celebrated with various cultural and social events, such as the State Foundation Week, the Bharat Bharti award ceremony, and the Mera Sainik program. The people of Uttarakhand express their pride and gratitude for their state and its achievements on this day. 

History of Uttarakhand

With a total size of 53,566 km2 (20,682 sq mi), 86 per cent of Uttarakhand is made up of mountains, and the remaining 65 per cent is covered in forests. High Himalayan peaks and glaciers encircle the majority of the state's northern region. The Ganges at Gangotri and the Yamuna at Yamunotri, two of the most significant rivers in Hinduism, have their source in the glaciers of Uttarakhand. 

Uttarakhand was formed on November 9, 2000, after a long struggle by the people of the hilly regions of undivided Uttar Pradesh.  The northern part of Uttar Pradesh was divided to form a whole new state, Uttarakhand. Uttarakhand means "northern land" or "section" or "northern part" in Sanskrit. It is also known as the land of the gods (Devbhumi) because of its many Hindu pilgrimage sites. 

In the late 20th century, the demand for a separate state of Uttarakhand became stronger and more widespread. The people of the region felt neglected and discriminated by the government of Uttar Pradesh, which was dominated by the plains. They also faced problems such as poverty, unemployment, migration, deforestation, and environmental degradation. 

In 1994, the first major agitation for statehood began in the form of the Uttarakhand Andolan. It was led by various political parties, social organizations, and civil society groups. The agitation involved mass protests, rallies, strikes, and civil disobedience. It also faced violent repression and crackdown by the police and the administration. Many people lost their lives or were injured in the clashes. 

In 1998, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power at the center and promised to create a separate state of Uttarakhand. However, the process was delayed and opposed by some factions within the BJP and its allies. The agitation for statehood continued and intensified in the following years. 

In 2000, after a series of negotiations and compromises, the Parliament passed the Uttar Pradesh Reorganisation Act, which paved the way for the creation of Uttarakhand as a new state. The act received the assent of the President of India on October 25, 2000, and Uttarakhand officially came into existence on November 9, 2000. The first Chief Minister of Uttarakhand was Nityanand Swami of the BJP. 

Climate and population of Uttarakhand 

The climate of Uttarakhand is very diverse and varies according to the altitude and location of the region. Uttarakhand is a state in northern India that is situated in the Himalayan mountain range. It has five main climatic zones: tropical, subtropical, temperate, cold, and frigid cold. Mostly, the weather in the state is influenced by different seasons and tropical monsoons. January is the coldest month, and July is the hottest in the northern part, while May is the warmest in the southeast. During the rainy season, landslides and floods are the main concerns in the lower valleys. In the state's northern regions, snowfall occurs frequently from December to March.

The population composition of Uttarakhand is very diverse and reflects the cultural and geographical features of the state. Uttarakhand has two main regions: Garhwal and Kumaon, which have different historical, linguistic, and ethnic backgrounds.  The population of the state is multiethnic and is dispersed throughout the Garhwal and Kumaon geo-cultural regions. Uttarakhand's population is largely made up of Rajput, Garhwali, Gujjar, and Kumauni people. The majority of Uttarakhand's population speaks Indo-Aryan languages. The state's official language is Hindi. Nepali, Gharwali, Kumauni, and Punjabi are some additional languages.

Uttarakhand is home to two UNESCO Heritage sites, Valley of Flowers and Nanda Devi National Park. The first and oldest National, Jim Corbett is also in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand. The State is also rich in mineral deposits like limestone, marble, rock phosphate, dolomite, magnesite, copper, gypsum, and others.