On International Women’s Day, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami honoured 38 senior women for their contributions in education, social service, agriculture and culture, calling matri shakti the real strength of the hills.
Dehradun: On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami honoured 38 senior women from across the state for their remarkable contributions in various fields during the “Nari Tu Narayani” programme held at the Chief Sevak Sadan in Dehradun on Sunday.
Women who have made significant contributions in fields such as education, social service, entrepreneurship, environmental conservation, agriculture, culture and water conservation were felicitated during the event.
Extending his greetings on International Women’s Day, the Chief Minister said that the programme recognises those women whose sacrifice, struggle, affection and values have strengthened the foundation of families, society and the nation. He noted that generations grow under the love, blessings and guidance of women, and society continues to progress because of their dedication.
Dhami said that mothers often sacrifice their own comforts to ensure a better future for their children. Senior women, he added, are not only the pillars of families but also the guardians of culture, traditions and life values.
Highlighting the role of women in Uttarakhand, the Chief Minister said the contribution of the state’s matri shakti is especially inspiring. Women in the hill state manage their families while also working in fields and farms, showing resilience even in difficult circumstances. “The real strength of the hills lies in its matri shakti,” he said, acknowledging the courage and dedication of women in building the state.
The Chief Minister further stated that caring for senior citizens and elderly mothers is a collective responsibility of society. The state government is implementing several welfare schemes for women, especially senior women. Through schemes such as old-age pension and widow pension, financial assistance is being provided to support them. Efforts are also being made to strengthen healthcare services for the elderly and improve facilities in old-age homes across various districts.
He also mentioned that the government is providing free religious pilgrimage facilities for senior citizens. The government’s resolve, he said, is to ensure that every elderly mother in Uttarakhand can live with dignity, security and self-respect.
On the occasion, Cabinet Minister Rekha Arya said that women who excel in various fields serve as an inspiration for society. She emphasized that an active life keeps a person energetic and fulfilled. She added that women empowerment begins at home and gradually spreads across society and the nation, as women play a vital role in building families, communities and the country.
Secretary Chandresh Kumar Yadav informed that the theme of this year’s Women’s Day programme was “Give to Gain.” In line with the theme, senior women above 60 years of age who remain active, self-reliant and contribute significantly to society were selected for the honour.
He further explained that to ensure transparency and fair representation, one woman each from lower, middle and higher income groups was selected from every district through a district-level committee.
During the programme, the Chief Minister felicitated senior women from districts including Dehradun, Nainital, Rudraprayag, Champawat, Pauri Garhwal, Almora, Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Bageshwar, Tehri Garhwal, Udham Singh Nagar, Haridwar and Pithoragarh.
The event was attended by Vice Chairman of the Uttarakhand Tribal Advisory Council Geeta Ram Gaud, Director B. L. Rana, Vikram Singh, S. K. Tripathi, Mohit Chaudhary and several other officials and dignitaries.
