Garvita Odia
Bhubaneswar, March 11, 2026: The Hon’ble Governor of Uttarakhand, Lt Gen Gurmit Singh (Retd.), today interacted with a media delegation from Odisha at Lok Bhavan, Raj Bhavan, Dehradun. The delegation is on a four-day visit to Uttarakhand organised by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Bhubaneswar under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India.
Welcoming the delegation to Devbhoomi Uttarakhand, the Governor shared insights on the state’s spiritual heritage, economic progress and developmental initiatives. He highlighted the similarities between Odisha and Uttarakhand, particularly their vulnerability to natural disasters, and recalled his visit to Odisha after Cyclone Fani, appreciating the resilience of the people.
Expressing his admiration for Odisha, the Governor remarked that the nation is fortunate that the state has given the country a woman President, reflecting India’s commitment to women’s empowerment. He also spoke about his spiritual inclination towards Lord Jagannath, the “Lord of the Universe,” and highlighted the spiritual significance of Puri. Interpreting the word “PURI”, he explained it as “U – You and I – I,” symbolising the spiritual connection between the divine and devotees. He also praised the rich art, culture and traditions of Odisha and described the people of the state as simple and warm-hearted. Highlighting Uttarakhand’s national importance, the Governor informed that the state is home to 82 institutions of the Government of India, including prominent ones such as the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie, the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun, the Forest Research Institute (FRI) and the Survey of India.
The media delegation comprises nine senior journalists from Odisha and is accompanied by Shri Mahendra Jena, Assistant Director, and Shri Bikash Ranjan Dalai, Information Assistant, PIB Bhubaneswar. Also present during the interaction was Shri Sanjeev Sundriyal, Assistant Director, PIB Dehradun.
