PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Dehradun In a humanitarian gesture, chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited the disaster-affected Majhada village in Sahastradhara area of Dehradun on the occasion of Deepawali on Monday. He met the residents and heard their grievances and also extended greetings of the festival of lights. The CM visited the homes of the disaster affected where he interacted with a large number of people. On the demand of the villagers, the CM directed officials to conduct river training and expedite the construction of a protective wall for the safety of the village. He said that the education of children should not be disrupted under any circumstances due to the disaster. The CM said that arrangements for alternative houses are being made on a priority basis for families whose homes were damaged in the disaster. Additionally, arrangements for rent payments for affected families currently living on rent will be made according to established standards, he assured. Assuring every possible assistance and rehabilitation of the disaster affected families he said that the State government stands firmly with those affected by the disaster. “The pain of every person affected by the disaster is the pain of the government,’’ he said. Extending greetings of the festival, the CM said that Deepawali is not just a festival of lights, but of compassion and unity. We must also keep the light of hope and smiles burning in our lives, he added. Cabinet minister Ganesh Joshi, Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey and others were present on this occasion.