Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami joins Raksha Bandhan celebrations

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami celebrated Raksha Bandhan with women in Dehradun. He highlighted the importance of women's empowerment and announced free bus travel for women across the state on August 28 and 29 for the festival.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in two Raksha Bandhan programmes held in Dehradun on Sunday and celebrated the festival with the women.

According to the Chief Minister's office, he first attended a Raksha Bandhan ceremony at Chaudhary Farms, followed by another programme at Survey Stadium in Hathibarkala. At both events, a large number of women tied Rakhi to the Chief Minister and wished him a healthy and long life. The Chief Minister extended Raksha Bandhan greetings to all the women and expressed gratitude for their affection and blessings.

The Chief Minister extended Raksha Bandhan greetings in advance to all mothers and sisters of Uttarakhand and prayed that the sacred festival would bring happiness, prosperity and new joy into everyone's lives. He said that being among the women made him feel as though a brother had returned to his own home and family. The love and trust he receives from the women of the state, he said, are his greatest strength and continue to inspire him to work tirelessly in the service of every citizen of Uttarakhand.

He said Raksha Bandhan is not merely a festival celebrating the love between brothers and sisters, but also a sacred occasion symbolising unbreakable affection, trust, dedication and the lifelong commitment of a brother to protect his sister. The festival also teaches that relationships are strengthened not merely by rights, but by the fulfilment of duties and responsibilities. A brother's affection and commitment to his sister's safety, along with a sister's unwavering trust in her brother, are sacred bonds further strengthened by Raksha Bandhan, the release said.

CM on Women Empowerment and Government Initiatives

The Chief Minister said Raksha Bandhan also reminds us of the importance of respecting women. "Respect for women is not only our duty but also the foundation of our culture and values. Women are the foundation of families and a fundamental force behind society and culture. A society that respects women is truly prosperous and cultured," he said.

He said that the greatest strength of any society and nation lies in its women. When women are empowered, the benefits are not limited to their families but extend to the entire society and the nation. Today, women are demonstrating their talent in every field--from space to the country's borders, and from homes and families to industry and business. Women are no longer limited to participation; they are increasingly taking on leadership roles.

The Chief Minister said that whenever he speaks of the women of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand, his head is held high with pride. Women of the hills have turned struggle into strength and have played a significant role in the development of their families, society and the state, the release said.

Central Government's Initiatives

He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several historic steps have been taken for the dignity, safety and empowerment of women. The Prime Minister has incorporated the spirit of "Nari Tu Narayani" into the country's policies and governance. Through the Ujjwala Yojana, women have been freed from the hardships of smoke; through the Jal Jeevan Mission, tap water has been provided to households; under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, women have been linked with home ownership; and through the Lakhpati Didi initiative, efforts have been made to make women financially self-reliant. He said that women's reservation, the construction of toilets and decisive action against the practice of triple talaq are also important steps towards protecting women's dignity and rights. Respect and welfare of women remain at the centre of the Central Government's policies.

Uttarakhand Government's Commitment

The Chief Minister said that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and with the support of the Central Government, the Uttarakhand Government is also working with full commitment towards the empowerment of women. The government is striving to ensure equal opportunities for women to progress in education, healthcare, employment, self-employment and entrepreneurship. Towards this goal, initiatives such as the Uttarakhand State Rural Livelihood Mission, Sashakt Behna Utsav, the Chief Minister Women Self-Help Group Empowerment Scheme and Mukhyamantri Udyamshala are providing women with opportunities for self-employment and entrepreneurship, the release said.

The Chief Minister said that around five lakh women in the state are currently associated with more than 70,000 self-help groups and are participating in self-employment and other economic activities. These self-help groups are not merely a source of income but have emerged as strong centres of collective strength, leadership and self-reliance for women in rural areas. The state also has more than 7,000 village organisations and over 500 cluster organisations, which are examples of women's collective capacity and leadership.

He said that more than three lakh women have become Lakhpati Didis. These women have not only strengthened the financial condition of their families but have also set new benchmarks for women's empowerment across the state.

The Chief Minister said that along with making women economically strong, the government is also empowering them at the social and constitutional levels. Uttarakhand has implemented 30 per cent horizontal reservation for women in government services. He added that the Uniform Civil Code has also marked a historic step towards protecting the rights of women across all sections and ensuring them equal justice.

He said that the number of schemes being implemented for women is so large that there would not be enough time to mention each one individually. For the government, he said, these are not merely welfare schemes but a commitment to provide women with a self-reliant, dignified and secure life, the release noted.

Focus on Youth Employment

The Chief Minister said, "The mother's greatest happiness comes when her son or daughter becomes educated, stands on their own feet, secures employment and supports the family. Conversely, seeing a child struggle for employment even after completing their education is one of a mother's greatest pains. Understanding this concern, the government has provided government jobs to more than 34,000 youths during its five-year tenure."

He said that the government has not only focused on providing employment but has also undertaken major reforms in the recruitment system. An anti-cheating law has been implemented, transparency has been ensured in recruitment examinations and strict measures have been introduced to prevent injustice to deserving candidates. Today, the youth of the state can have confidence that their hard work and merit--not the influence of cheating mafias or corrupt systems--will determine their future.

A 'Brother's' Promise and a Rakhi Gift

The Chief Minister said that at the Raksha Bandhan celebrations, he was present not only as the Chief Minister but also as a brother among his sisters. He assured the women that if any sister or daughter in the state ever faces a problem, she can freely bring her concerns to the Chief Minister's Office. He said every possible effort would be made to take cognisance of the issue and resolve it, and he would fulfil his responsibility as a brother to the best of his ability. He said that the trust and affection of his sisters are of utmost importance to him.

The government's goal is to build an Uttarakhand where daughters are safe, sisters are self-reliant, mothers live with dignity and the youth are confident about their future. To achieve this goal, he sought the blessings, support and trust of the state's women, the release added.

On the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, the Chief Minister announced a special gift for women, providing free travel on Uttarakhand Roadways buses on August 28 and 29. The facility will enable women to travel conveniently to meet their parents and family members during the festival. The government has introduced the initiative to make Raksha Bandhan more convenient and meaningful for the women of the state.

At both programmes, the Chief Minister interacted with the women, extended Raksha Bandhan greetings and said that the "love, blessings and trust of Uttarakhand's women would continue to inspire him to work tirelessly in the service of the state." (ANI)

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