Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami celebrated Raksha Bandhan with women at two events in Dehradun on Sunday, emphasizing women’s empowerment, dignity and economic independence. CM Dhami first attended a Raksha Bandhan celebration at Chaudhary Farm on GMS Road and later participated in another programme at Survey Stadium in Hathibarkala. A large number of women tied rakhi to the Chief Minister and wished him good health and a long life. Dhami thanked the women for their affection and blessings and extended his greetings to the people of Uttarakhand on the festival. Addressing the gatherings, the Chief Minister said Raksha Bandhan is not merely a festival celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters, but also symbolizes love, trust, commitment and responsibility. He said the festival reminds society of the importance of respecting women and ensuring their safety, dignity and empowerment. Dhami said the women of Uttarakhand have played a significant role in the development of their families, communities and the state. He highlighted the contribution of women in various fields and said that empowered women are a major force behind the progress of society and the nation. Focus on Women’s Empowerment The Chief Minister highlighted several initiatives of the Central Government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi aimed at strengthening women’s dignity, safety and economic independence. He cited schemes such as Ujjwala Yojana, Jal Jeevan Mission, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and the Lakhpati Didi initiative, along with measures related to women’s reservation and protection of women’s rights. Dhami said the Uttarakhand government is also working to provide women with greater opportunities in education, healthcare, employment, self-employment and entrepreneurship. He said nearly five lakh women in the state are associated with more than 70,000 self-help groups, while over 3 lakh women have become Lakhpati Didis. He said these groups have emerged as important centres of collective strength, leadership and economic self-reliance for women, particularly in rural areas. The Chief Minister also highlighted the 30 per cent horizontal reservation for women in government services in Uttarakhand and said the Uniform Civil Code has further strengthened efforts to protect women’s rights and ensure equal justice. More Than 34,000 Government Jobs Dhami said the state government has provided government employment to more than 34,000 youths during its five-year tenure. He said reforms have also been introduced in the recruitment system, including the implementation of an anti-copying law and measures to ensure greater transparency in competitive examinations. He said the government’s objective is to ensure that young people are able to secure jobs on the basis of merit and hard work rather than being affected by unfair practices. “I Have Come Among You as a Brother” Speaking to the women gathered at the Raksha Bandhan celebrations, Dhami said he was present not only as the Chief Minister but also as a brother. He assured women that if any sister or daughter in the state faces a problem, she can bring it to the attention of the Chief Minister’s Office and that every possible effort would be made to address her concerns. “My aim 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,” he said. Free Roadways Travel for Women on August 28-29 As a special Raksha Bandhan gift, Chief Minister Dhami announced free travel for women on Uttarakhand Roadways buses on August 28 and 29. The facility is intended to help women travel conveniently to meet their parents and families during the festival. At the Chaudhary Farm programme, organiser Joginder Singh Pundir, Uttarakhand Disaster Management State Advisory Committee Vice Chairman Vinay Kumar Rohila, other public representatives and women from across the state were present. The Survey Stadium event was attended by Cabinet Minister Ganesh Joshi, National Commission for Women Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar, other public representatives, dignitaries and a large number of women. Dhami interacted with the women at both events, extended his Raksha Bandhan greetings and said the affection, blessings and trust of Uttarakhand’s women would continue to inspire him in serving the people of the state.
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