CM Dhami Honours 149 Meritorious Girl Students with Smartphones on International Day of the Girl Child

True Kanya Pujan means ensuring respect, safety, education and equal opportunities for daughters: Chief Minister

Smartphones distributed under Balika Shiksha Protsahan Programme to promote digital learning and empower meritorious students

Dehradun: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in the Balika Shiksha Protsahan Programme organised at the IRTD Auditorium in Dehradun on Sunday to mark the International Day of the Girl Child. On the occasion, he honoured 149 meritorious girl students who performed exceptionally well in the Uttarakhand Board’s High School and Intermediate examinations by presenting them with smartphones.

Congratulating the students, the Chief Minister wished them a bright future and encouraged them to set ambitious goals, work consistently and pursue their aspirations with confidence.

Dhami said the observance of the International Day of the Girl Child coinciding with the first day of Sharadiya Navratri was a special occasion. Indian culture has traditionally revered girls as manifestations of Shakti, or feminine power. However, he emphasised that the true significance of Kanya Pujan lies in ensuring that every girl receives respect, safety, quality education and equal opportunities to progress.

He said daughters are not only a source of happiness for their families but also a source of strength for society and the foundation of the nation’s bright future.

Government Initiatives for Women’s Empowerment

The Chief Minister said several initiatives have been undertaken under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to promote women’s empowerment and the development of girls. Programmes such as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam and Lakhpati Didi are creating new opportunities for women and girls.

He said the Uttarakhand government was committed to supporting girls at every stage, from birth and education to skill development, employment and self-reliance.

Women are provided 30 per cent horizontal reservation in state government jobs. Under the Nanda Gaura Yojana, financial assistance of Rs 11,000 is provided at the birth of a girl child, while Rs 51,000 is provided upon passing Class 12. More than four lakh girls have benefited from the scheme so far.

Dhami added that the Mukhyamantri Mahalakshmi Yojana focuses on the health and nutrition of mothers and newborns, while the Mukhyamantri Vatsalya Yojana provides financial assistance to children living in difficult circumstances.

Ensuring That Financial Constraints Do Not Interrupt Girls’ Education

The Chief Minister said the government was working to ensure that no girl is deprived of education because of financial hardship. Free textbooks are being provided to students from Classes 1 to 12 in government and aided schools.

He highlighted initiatives such as the Mukhyamantri Medhavi Chhatra Protsahan Yojana, Mukhyamantri Uchcha Shiksha Protsahan Chhatravritti Yojana and Gargi Sanskrit Balika Chhatravritti Yojana, which encourage students to pursue academic excellence.

Free bicycle schemes and the construction of women’s hostels are also helping promote girls’ education.

Smartphones to Expand Access to Digital Education

Dhami said digital learning and modern technology have become increasingly important in education. The distribution of smartphones to meritorious students under the Balika Shiksha Protsahan Programme aims to connect them with digital technology and expand their access to educational resources, knowledge and skill-development opportunities.

He added that the government was also working towards providing financial assistance through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to students in Classes 10 and 12 studying in government schools so they could obtain tablets. The initiative is intended to improve students’ access to digital learning resources.

Promoting Skill Development and Self-Employment

The Chief Minister said the government was making continuous efforts to connect girls with skill development, innovation and self-employment opportunities alongside formal education.

Under the Drone Didi initiative, women are being trained in drone operations. Initiatives such as Alamban Art, Alamban Gaon and Alamban Cafe are intended to create livelihood opportunities for women and adolescent girls in need.

Through Navya 2.0, adolescent girls and young women in Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar are receiving training in skill development and entrepreneurship to help them become economically independent.

Safety and Dignity of Girls Remain Government Priorities

Dhami said ensuring the safety of girls, alongside providing them with quality education, remains one of the government’s highest priorities. The state is committed to preventing child marriage and addressing other social evils.

He said orphaned children have been provided five per cent horizontal reservation in government services. In addition, support persons have been arranged in every district to facilitate legal assistance and psychological care for children affected by offences covered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The Chief Minister emphasised that every girl must have the opportunity to study in a safe and fear-free environment, develop her abilities and move forward with confidence. He called for collective efforts by all sections of society to ensure the dignity, safety and empowerment of girls.

More Than 35,000 Youth Secured Government Jobs in Five Years

The Chief Minister said a stringent anti-cheating law had been implemented in Uttarakhand to ensure that young people’s hard work and merit were protected from unfair practices. More than 35,000 young people have secured government jobs in the state over the past five years, he added.

Encouraging the students, Dhami urged them to dream big, work diligently and pursue their goals with self-confidence. He reiterated that the state government was committed to providing every girl with opportunities for education, skill development, employment and self-reliance as part of its vision to make Uttarakhand one of the leading states in the country.

Equal Opportunities for Girls Essential for Overall Development: Rekha Arya

Women Empowerment and Child Development Minister Rekha Arya said the state government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, was continuously working to improve girls’ education, safety and self-reliance.

She said the Balika Shiksha Protsahan Programme aims not only to recognise the achievements of meritorious students but also to inspire other girls to perform well and pursue their aspirations.

Providing equal opportunities to girls and enabling them to become self-reliant are essential for the overall development of society, she said. Arya congratulated the award-winning students and wished them success in their future endeavours.

Cabinet Minister Khajan Das, Additional Secretary Karmendra Singh, Director of Women Empowerment and Child Development Banshilal Rana, and other officials were present at the programme.