A unique initiative dedicated to preserving the rich cultural heritage of the Himalayan region and revitalizing village life, Chai Gramotsav will be celebrated on 22, 23, and 24 June this year. Marking its 17th year, the festival continues to generate enthusiasm among villagers and the wider community while serving as a model for sustainable rural development.
Located near the renowned hill station of Lansdowne in the Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand, Chai Village has hosted the Gramotsav annually since 2010. Organized with the twin objectives of promoting regional culture and fostering rural development, the festival has become a significant platform for community engagement. Every year, villagers living outside their native place return home to participate in the celebrations, reconnect with their roots, and contribute ideas and strategies for the village’s future development. The event also attracts social workers, scholars, thinkers, and development practitioners from across the country.
Over the years, Chai Gramotsav has emerged as a successful model for addressing the challenges faced by hill villages, particularly migration. The festival has inspired many people to reconnect with their ancestral villages, while encouraging younger generations to appreciate and preserve their cultural heritage. Its success has motivated several other villages across the Himalayan region to organize similar Gramotsav programmes, creating a growing movement for community-led rural revitalization.
Preparations are currently underway for the three-day celebration. The festival will formally commence on 22 June with traditional worship ceremonies and a Kalash Yatra. Distinguished guests expected to attend include Jitendra Singh Chauhan, Chairperson of Satpuli Nagar Panchayat; Jagdamba Dangwal, noted social worker; Manwar Singh Rawat, educationist from New Delhi; Poonam Negi, District Panchayat Member; and Ranveer Singh Sajwan, Block Pramukh of Jaiharikhal.
According to Jagmohan Budakoti, President of the Organizing Committee, the opening day’s major attraction will be a cultural performance by the Dharmendra Rawat Group. On 23 June, a special Bhajan Sandhya organized by the Uttarakhand Department of Culture will be the highlight of the evening. He has appealed to residents of the region and visitors alike to participate in the festival and support this unique community initiative.
The event’s proceedings will be coordinated by Dr. Padmesh Budakoti, who will serve as MC-Master of Ceremonies throughout the three-day programme. Ashok Budakoti, Pradhan of Chai Gram Panchayat, along with various committees and volunteers, is overseeing logistical arrangements to ensure the smooth conduct of all activities. A notable addition this year is a newly constructed permanent stage for cultural and community events, made possible through the support of BDC Member Smt. Meenakshi and Deepak Budakoti.
For past few years, sociologist Devendra Kumar Budakoti has been advocating the concept of Gramotsav at various forums, presenting it as an innovative and community-driven development model for the hill villages of Uttarakhand.
