DEHRADUN: The hill state is planning to celebrate its 17th foundation day in a grand manner, and has lined up a host of programmes to mark the occasion.According to sources in the chief minister's office (CMO), the state government has made plans to invite Army chief General Bipin Rawat , national security adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval, Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) chief Anil Dhasmana and director general of military operations (DGMO) Lt Gen Anil Bhatt — all of them hailing from the state — to a seminar on November 5 to deliberate on the challenges that emerged after the state was carved out from Uttar Pradesh on November 9, 2000, and also discuss the road map and vision to take the state towards progress.At present, many top positions in the government of India are being held by people hailing from the hill state. To make the occasion a memorable one, the Trivendra Singh Rawat government intends to invite all of them to grace the foundation day celebrations. Sources in the chief minister office said, “It is an honour for Uttarakhand that people hailing from the Himalayan state are holding key government positions in the country.”The chief minister pointed out that programmes leading to the foundation day celebrations would commence on November 5. “If things work out as planned, the celebrations will be a grand affair,” said a source.NSA Ajit Doval is a native of Ghiri Banelsyun village in Pauri Garhwal, while Coast Guard chief Rajendra Singh hails from Chakrata near Dehradun . Director general of military operations Anil Bhatt has his roots in Tehri Garhwal, and RAW chief Anil Dhasmana is also from Pauri district.According to insiders, chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, who also hails from Pauri, is closely associated with many people of the state holding key positions in the government of India. “Earlier, the CM had gone to meet the Army chief and National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leaders in Delhi and later held meetings with them in Dehradun as well on the issue,” said a source.