Parmish Verma’s Grand Musical Night Draws Thousands; Lok Samvardhan Parv Extended Till 17th July
Dehradun : The fifth day of the 6th Lok Samvardhan Parv witnessed an overwhelming response as thousands of visitors gathered at Parade Ground, Dehradun. The event was graced by the Governor of Uttarakhand, Lieutenant General Gurmit Singh (Retd.), as the Chief Guest, along with Minister for Minority Welfare Khajan Dass, Special Secretary, Minority Welfare, Government of Uttarakhand, Parag Madhukar, and other dignitaries. Organised by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India, in collaboration with the Uttarakhand Minorities Welfare and Waqf Development Corporation, Government of Uttarakhand, the festival continued to celebrate India’s rich artisanal heritage through vibrant exhibitions, traditional crafts and a grand cultural program that drew enthusiastic audiences from across the State.
During the program, the dignitaries also participated in a tree plantation drive under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign.
Addressing the gathering, Governor Lieutenant General Gurmit Singh (Retd.) said, “I am delighted to witness the incredible energy and enthusiasm at the 6th Lok Samvardhan Parv. It is truly a celebration of India’s rich cultural heritage and the exceptional talent of our artisans. I congratulate the organisers for successfully conducting this remarkable festival over the past five days and extending it to seven days due to the overwhelming public response. The women of Uttarakhand, especially those associated with Self Help Groups, are setting inspiring examples through their outstanding work, which has grown manifold over the years. I urge every artisan to continue creating a unique identity through excellence and innovation. Each one of us has a role to play in realising the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047, and as Prime Minister Narendra Modi has rightly said, the third decade of the 21st century belongs to Uttarakhand.”
During the occasion, the Governor felicitated several artisans for their outstanding contribution towards preserving traditional crafts.
The results of the Drawing Competition were also announced. Nishtha Bisht secured the first position, Aarushi Semwal stood second, while Aradhya Semwal secured the third position. Winners of the Craft Competition were also felicitated, with Aarushi Semwal winning the first prize, Nida Malik securing the second position and Garima finishing third.
The cultural evening concluded with the much-awaited performance by celebrated Punjabi singer, lyricist and actor Parmish Verma, who captivated the audience with his charismatic stage presence and electrifying performance. Widely acclaimed for chartbusters including Gaal Ni Kadni, Shada, Le Chakk Main Aa Gaya, Sab Fade Jange, Diamond Da Challa and Aam Jahe Munde, Parmish Verma delivered one hit after another, creating an unforgettable musical experience.
From his biggest chartbusters to fan favourites, Parmish Verma had thousands of spectators singing and dancing along throughout the evening. His high-energy performance transformed Parade Ground into a vibrant celebration of music, with families, youth and visitors from across Uttarakhand enjoying one of the most memorable evenings of the festival.
In another major announcement, the organisers declared that Lok Samvardhan Parv has been extended by two additional days till 17th July 2026, following the overwhelming response from visitors and persistent public demand.
Speaking on the occasion, Special Secretary, Minority Welfare, Government of Uttarakhand, Parag Madhukar, said, “The Dehradun edition marks a historic milestone as the first-ever Lok Samvardhan Parv organised in partnership with a State Government, with Uttarakhand becoming the first State to collaborate with the Ministry of Minority Affairs in hosting this flagship event under the PM VIKAS Scheme. This initiative reflects the Ministry’s renewed emphasis on strengthening Centre-State partnerships to promote sustainable livelihoods while preserving India’s rich traditional arts, crafts and culinary heritage. The tremendous participation of visitors and the appreciation received by our artisans have made this edition truly memorable.”
Director, Uttarakhand Minorities Welfare and Waqf Development Corporation, Deepti Singh, said, “The overwhelming response to Lok Samvardhan Parv has surpassed all our expectations. This success belongs to every artisan, craftsman, cultural performer, department, volunteer and team member who has worked tirelessly to make the festival a grand success. The beautifully curated stalls and exceptional craftsmanship showcased here have received immense appreciation from visitors. Encouraged by this response, we decided to extend the festival by two days, allowing more people to experience India’s diverse arts, crafts and cultural traditions. The extension will also enable us to present the cultural performances that could not be organised on 13th July due to the National Mourning.”
As part of the extended celebrations, 16th July will feature Harela celebrations, one of Uttarakhand’s most cherished festivals symbolising nature, prosperity and environmental conservation. Visitors will also witness an extraordinary cultural evening featuring Garh Ratna Narendra Singh Negi, the legendary voice of Uttarakhand, alongside celebrated folk singer Kishan Mahipal, promising an unforgettable celebration of the State’s rich musical heritage.
The exhibition, featuring over 150 stalls of handicrafts, handloom products, heritage crafts and regional cuisines, will continue during the extended period, providing artisans and entrepreneurs with additional opportunities for business, networking and market access while allowing more visitors to experience the country’s rich artisanal heritage.
With thousands of visitors continuing to flock to Parade Ground every day, Lok Samvardhan Parv has emerged as one of Uttarakhand’s largest celebrations of traditional arts, crafts, cuisine and culture, reaffirming the growing appreciation for India’s indigenous heritage and the artisans who continue to preserve these timeless traditions.
