Uttarakhand

• 28 Apr 2023

Uttarakhand Transport Minister Chandan Ramdas Passed Away

Why in News?

Uttarakhand Transport Minister Chandan Ramdas passed away on 26 April 2023. He breathed his last at a hospital in Bageshwar.

Key Points

• Transport Minister Chandan Ramdas had gone to Bageshwar Dham, where his health deteriorated, after which he was admitted to the district hospital in Bageshwar, where he died.
• He is the third cabinet minister in the government of Uttarakhand so far, whose death has been due to one disease or the other. Before him, Kumaon veteran politician Prakash Pant and Haridwar district leader Surendra Rakesh died of cancer. Surendra Rakesh was a minister in the Congress government, while Prakash Pant was a minister in the BJP government.
• The political career of State Transport Welfare Minister Bageshwar MLA Chandan Ramdas started in 1980. In 1997, he became the independent president of the municipality of Bageshwar. Prior to this, he became joint secretary unopposed in the first year of B.A. at M.B. Degree College, Haldwani.
• Chandan Ramdas joined BJP in 2006 on the inspiration of former Chief Minister Bhagat Singh Koshyari. He was elected MLA for the fourth consecutive time in 2007, 2012, 2017 and 2022. On his death, state mourning has been declared in the state from 26 to 28 April.

Governor Launched 'Chardham Saathi' Mobile App

Why in News?

On April 27, 2023, Uttarakhand Governor Lt. Gen. Gurmeet Singh (Retd.) launched the 'Chardham Sathi' mobile app of Swami Vivekananda Health Mission Society at Raj Bhavan.

Key Points

• Governor Lt. Gen. Gurmeet Singh (Retd.) said that the purpose of this mobile app is to provide health related information to the pilgrims during the Char Dham Yatra.
• This mobile app will be useful for the health facilities of the pilgrims visiting Chardham. Through the mobile app, pilgrims will be able to get information about the nearest Vivekananda Health Mission hospital, services available there and emergency number etc.
• It is worth mentioning that Vivekananda Health Mission is providing free treatment services at Chardham Yatra sites. The Society has established its dispensaries at 11 places in Uttarakhand. So far, this Health Mission Society has provided free health services to lakhs of patients.
• Dr. Anuj Singhal, secretary of this Society, said that ICU-equipped hospitals are being operated by the society at Shri Badrinath Dham, Shri Kedarnath Dham and Gangotri Dham. They have free lab facilities, digital X-ray facilities and pharmacies etc.
• It can be noted that more than 60 cardiologists from all over the country have voluntarily given their consent to render their services in Chardham Yatra Chikitsalayas.