PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE | Dehradun Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has said that 1.63 lakh women in Uttarakhand have created history by becoming Lakhpati Didis. He was addressing a gathering after inaugurating the State-level programme in all the 95 blocks of the State under ‘ Mukhyamantri Sashakt Bahana Utsav Yojana’ in the State secretariat on Monday. On this occasion, women associated with various women self-help groups tied Rakhis on the wrist of the CM. Extending his greetings in advance to the women self-help groups present, the CM praised them for their work in self-employment, women’s self-reliance, local products and handicrafts. Dhami said that the women of the State have proved through their hard work and dedication that if given opportunity, resources and support, they can not only empower themselves but can also play an important role in the development of their family, society and State. “The example of self-reliance that all of you have set through self-help groups is becoming a medium to give a new direction to the rural economy of Uttarakhand. Our government has also developed a strong ecosystem for processing, packaging and sale of products manufactured by women. A total of 49 growth centres have been established for processing and marketing of products made by women self-help groups,’’ he said. Vikasnagar MLA Munna Singh Chauhan, officers of the Rural Development department and women entrepreneurs associated with various women self-help groups attended the programme.