Dehradun, March 31 -- Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday said the state government is working to establish Uttarakhand as a hub for literary tourism and announced that two modern "sahitya grams" (literary villages) will be developed in the state to provide facilities for writes and scholars. The chief minister made the announcement while addressing the "Uttarakhand Sahitya Gaurav Samman Ceremony-2025" organised by the Uttarakhand Bhasha Sansthan at the chief minister's residence in Dehradun. Dhami said the "proposed Sahitya Grams will be equipped with modern amenities to create a conducive environment for literary figures and researchers". The initiative, he added, aims to promote literary tourism and preserve the state's rich literary heritage. The chief minister said that "under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country is reconnecting with its cultural roots and efforts are being made to revive and preserve India's literary traditions. Inspired by this vision, the Uttarakhand government is also working to compile and conserve the state's scattered literary heritage". During the ceremony, Dhami conferred Uttarakhand's highest literary honour, the "Uttarakhand Sahitya Bhushan Samman," on Dr Jiten Thakur for his contribution to literature. Several senior writers were also honoured with the "Uttarakhand Long-term Outstanding Literary Creation Award." The recipients included Dr Buddhinath Mishra, Shyam Singh Kutaula, Dr Pritam Singh, Kesar Singh Rai and Ata-e-Sabir Afzal Manglauri. The chief minister also honoured literary personalities across different categories. Prof Diva Bhatt received the "Sahitya Nari Vandan Samman," while Prof Dinesh Chamola was honoured for outstanding contribution to children's literature. Under the Uttarakhand Original Composition Award category, Dr Bhupendra Bisht, Dr Sudha Jugran and Sheeshpal Gusain were felicitated. Similarly, Tara Pathak, Hemant Singh Bisht and Gajendra Nautiyal were honoured for their contributions to Kumaoni and Garhwali literature, among others. Addressing the gathering, Dhami said it was a matter of pride for him to honour the state's distinguished litterateurs. Referring to Dr Thakur, he said the awardee has become a source of inspiration not only for Uttarakhand but also for the wider world of Hindi literature. Congratulating the awardees, the chief minister said "writers play a crucial role in enriching cultural and literary heritage and passing it on to future generations." He described the Sahitya Gaurav Samman ceremony as a symbol of Uttarakhand's literary tradition and creative consciousness. Dhami said that the sacred land of Uttarakhand has historically been a centre of knowledge, culture and creativity. "The state's natural beauty, the Himalayas and the Ganga have inspired numerous writers and poets, including Sumitranandan Pant, Gaura Pant 'Shivani', Mohan Upreti and Shailesh Matiyani," he said. The chief minister said literature acts as a mirror to society and that writers are not only creators of words but also guides and inspirations for the community. He added that "litterateurs had played an important role in both the freedom movement and the formation of the state of Uttarakhand." Dhami said, "The state government is committed to the promotion and preservation of literature and culture. Apart from various awards to honour writers, the government is also providing financial assistance for the publication of books." Cabinet minister Subodh Uniyal, MLA Khajan Das and MLA Savita Kapoor were also present at the event along with scholars, writers, journalists and literature enthusiasts....