Uttarkashi (Rajeev Sharma): In a heartwarming moment amid ongoing rescue efforts in Uttarakhand, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami was visibly moved on Friday when a rescued woman pilgrim from Gujarat tore a piece of her saree’s pallu and tied it on his wrist as a rakhi. The emotional gesture came as a token of gratitude for the state government’s care and support to stranded pilgrims.
The incident took place at Harsil helipad when the woman, identified as Dhan Gauri from Ishanpur, Ahmedabad, approached the Chief Minister to personally thank him. Overcome with emotion, she fashioned a rakhi from her saree and tied it to Dhami’s wrist. In response, Dhami bowed with folded hands, calling it a “special blessing” and expressing deep appreciation for the sentiment.
Dhami has been stationed in Uttarkashi for the past three days, directly overseeing the relief and evacuation operations in areas hit by recent flash floods. The festival of Raksha Bandhan, symbolizing the bond between brothers and sisters, falls on Saturday, making the moment even more poignant.
Officials reported that several pilgrims from Gujarat were forced to return to Gangotri after the flash floods struck Dharali on Tuesday. They were accommodated in local hotels and lodges until helicopter evacuations to Matli and Harsil could resume when weather conditions improved.
Since Tuesday, approximately 650 pilgrims have been airlifted from affected areas where torrents of mud destroyed homes, hotels, and vehicles. Authorities have confirmed four fatalities, with two bodies recovered on Wednesday. According to the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA), 16 people — including nine Army personnel and seven civilians — remain missing.
