CM Pushkar Singh Dhami Participates in Mass Kanya Pujan, Emphasizes Women Empowerment During Chaitra Navratri
Dehradun:
On the auspicious occasion of Chaitra Navratri, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in a mass Kanya Pujan program at the Sanatan Dharma Temple premises in Premnagar, Dehradun, on Tuesday. He performed rituals to honor young girls and extended his greetings to the people of the state.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that Chaitra Navratri is not just a festival of faith, but a grand celebration of devotion, spirituality, and cultural values centered around the worship of divine feminine power. He termed the पूजा of 1,100 girls as a highly auspicious and commendable initiative, appreciating the efforts of the आयोजन समिति.
He stated that such programs play a vital role in strengthening respect for women in society and reinforce values like “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao.” Emphasizing Indian traditions, he said that girls are considered embodiments of the divine and are accorded a place of great respect in scriptures. He added that daughters contribute significantly to building a strong and संस्कारित society through their values, affection, and sacrifices.
The Chief Minister urged society to ensure that every girl receives her rightful access to education, security, and dignity. He highlighted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, both the central and state governments are continuously working towards women empowerment.
He outlined several government initiatives aimed at supporting girls, including scholarships, bicycle distribution upon entry into Class 9, financial incentives for passing Class 12, and 30% horizontal reservation in government jobs.
Additionally, financial assistance of ₹61,000 is being provided for the mass marriage of daughters of registered construction workers, and up to ₹55,000 for individual marriages. A grant of up to ₹50,000 is also extended to families from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and economically weaker sections for marriage assistance.
The Chief Minister further mentioned that schemes like Nanda Gaura Yojana, Gaura Devi Kanyadhan Yojana, Chief Minister Mahalakshmi Kit Scheme, and nutrition programs are being implemented to support girls from birth through education, health, and employment.
He said that the nine days of Navratri are not limited to rituals alone but also serve as an opportunity for self-purification, service, humility, and social responsibility. Kanya Pujan symbolizes compassion, respect, and service in Indian culture.
He appealed to citizens to take a collective pledge to ensure the safety, education, and progress of every girl, thereby giving true meaning to the spirit of Kanya Pujan.
During the visit, the Chief Minister also paid obeisance at a Gurudwara in Premnagar.
Several dignitaries, including MLA Savita Kapoor, BJP Metropolitan President Siddharth Agarwal, Vice Chairman of the Disaster Management Advisory Committee Vinay Rohila, Vice President of Cantonment Board Dehradun Vinod Panwar, BJP leader Vinay Goyal, and other officials were present on the occasion.
