Dehradun: The celebrations marking Uttarakhand State Foundation Day – Ninad 2025 will commence on 1 November 2025, with the Hon’ble Governor, Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Gurmit Singh, inaugurating the event. The Himalaya Culture Centre, Garhi Cantt, Dehradun, is fully prepared to host this grand cultural festival.
As per the programme schedule, the Hon’ble Governor will formally inaugurate the ceremony by lighting the ceremonial lamp at 11:00 a.m., thereby marking the beginning of this nine-day cultural confluence of the Himalayan states.
Inaugural Day Programme
Following the inaugural session, there will be a presentation of the traditional Chholiya dance, symbolizing the valour of Uttarakhand’s cultural heritage. In the second session, artists from Bhatkhande Music College, Pauri, will present their musical performance.
The evening session will begin at 6:00 p.m. with Jagar singing by Smt. Rameshwari Bhatt, followed by Yulikheri singing from Nagaland. The day’s final presentation will feature a special musical performance by Padma Shri Suresh Wadkar.
Participation of Himalayan States and Neighbouring Nations
The Department of Culture, Government of Uttarakhand has structured Ninad 2025 as a platform for the collective expression and exchange of the diverse cultures of the Himalayan region. In addition to the Himalayan states, the neighbouring countries Nepal and Bhutan will also participate in the festival, thereby enhancing cross-border cultural harmony.
Panel Discussions (2–7 November 2025)
A series of panel discussions will be organized from 2 to 7 November 2025, daily between 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. at the Himalaya Culture Centre. Eminent personalities from Uttarakhand and across the country will take part in these sessions, which will focus on exploring various dimensions of art and culture while paving the way for future possibilities.
Cultural Presentations and Performances
Cultural troupes from Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, and the Tibetan community will showcase their traditional art forms. Musical bands from Bhutan and Nepal will also perform, reflecting the shared heritage of the Himalayan belt.
On 8 November 2025, a Kavi Sammelan (poetic symposium) will be held, featuring renowned poet Dr. Hariom Pawar, known for his patriotic and valorous compositions, along with other distinguished poets from the field of humour and satire.
In addition, the auditorium of the Himalaya Culture Centre will host performances by eminent classical vocalists and instrumentalists from across India.
Workshops and Exhibitions
Alongside the main events, a Kathak workshop will be conducted, and an exhibition of archival documents and photographs related to the Uttarakhand Statehood Movement will also be organized.
Crafts and Cuisine
Around 60 stalls have been set up to display traditional handicrafts, handlooms, and indigenous products from Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, and Nagaland.
In addition, food stalls will serve traditional delicacies from various Himalayan states, showcasing the rich and diverse culinary traditions of the region.
Preparations Reviewed
All preparations for the event have been completed. On Friday, Culture Secretary Shri Yugal Kishore Pant, along with Deputy Secretary Shri Vivek Jain, Deputy Director (Culture) Shri Ashish Kumar, and other officials, inspected the venue and reviewed the arrangements.
Shri Pant stated that the main objective of Ninad 2025 is to bring together the cultures of all Himalayan states on one platform, fostering mutual understanding and appreciation of their cultural diversity.
He further informed that all committees have been assigned specific responsibilities, and volunteers have been deployed to ensure the smooth and successful conduct of every programme during the event.
