Uttarakhand has established itself as an attractive destination for military personnel due to institutions such as IMA and RIMC, as well as a developing creative ecosystem. The state's special status is attributed to its significance for national defense.
Award Ceremony in Dehradun
The Times group proudly organized the event 'Times Samman 2026 – A Tribute to India’s Defence Forces & Importance of AI in Drone Technology,' dedicated to honoring the courage, self-sacrifice, and legacy of the Indian armed forces. The grand ceremony took place in June 2026 in Dehradun and gathered prominent figures, military personnel, recipients of honors, industry leaders, and young aspirants.
As part of a special ceremony organized by the Optimal Media Solutions (OMS) division of Times of India on Monday evening, the families of 32 brave individuals who lost their lives in service from Uttarakhand were recognized, highlighting the deep traditions of military service in the state.
Significance of Uttarakhand for Defense
The chief guest, in his speech, noted that Uttarakhand plays a significant role in defense services, and the residents of the state have made enormous contributions to the armed forces. He specifically highlighted renowned personalities from Uttarakhand holding key positions such as CDS and NSA, and acknowledged the deep dedication of the populace to the armed forces, which inspired Prime Minister Narendra Modi to call this Himalayan state 'Sainya Bhoomi' (Land of Warriors).
The event was attended by the families of fallen heroes and veterans. It began with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by the Speaker of the Uttarakhand Assembly, Ritu Khanduri Bhushan, and the Director General of the State Council for Science and Technology, Durgesh Pant.
Contribution of Residents and Panel Discussion
Ritu Khanduri Bhushan highly praised this initiative, noting that almost every family in the state has provided members to the defense forces, covering all ranks from private to Chief of Defence Staff. She also recalled the discipline of her late father, Major B. S. Khanduri, and emphasized Uttarakhand's identity as a land of courageous hearts that are constantly at the forefront.
The Minister for Veterans Affairs, Ganesh Joshi, called Uttarakhand 'Sainya Bhoomi' due to its significant contribution to the armed forces. Joshi stated: 'I understand the difficulties faced by soldiers and their families. We welcome their contribution to the country's defense.'
The panel discussion focused on the implementation of artificial intelligence in defense technologies and was moderated by Saurabh Saxena, a technical specialist, ecosystem builder, and managing partner at Gorkha Ventures. Colonel Kotiyal spoke about the necessity of maintaining focus on human intelligence in the age of AI and stressed the importance of investing in human capital despite the wave of AI. Professor Durgesh Pant emphasized the creation of a complete domestic technological infrastructure, stating that the country cannot be truly safe if all its activities depend on international infrastructure that can be disrupted at any moment.
Ashish Kumar Upadhyay (DGM, ITDA) discussed building security at every level and the importance of training young engineers in creating protective mechanisms in government systems. Shubham Pandey, an AI expert, stressed the need to train local talent when building an ecosystem that promotes reverse migration, inviting locals who left the region in search of opportunities.
Event Partners
The event was supported by Centurion Defence Academy as the Presenting Sponsor, MDDA Dehradun as the Supporting Partner, Hamdard as the Wellness Partner, Yugen Infra as the Luxury Residential Complex Partner, UCOST Dehradun as the Technology Partner, Trust Toyota as the Automotive Partner, Saigrace Academy International as the Educational Partner, and Quantum University and IMS Unison University as Partners.
