Dhami says worship of girls is meaningful only when they receive respect, security, education and equal opportunities to succeed
Dehradun, October 2026: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday participated in the ‘Girl Child Education Promotion Programme’ organised at the IRTD Auditorium in Dehradun to mark the International Day of the Girl Child.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister honoured 149 meritorious girls who performed exceptionally well in the Uttarakhand Board's Class 10 and Class 12 examinations by presenting them with smartphones. He congratulated the students on their achievements and wished them a bright future.
Dhami noted that the International Day of the Girl Child coinciding with the first day of Shardiya Navratri was a special occasion. He said Indian culture had traditionally revered girls as manifestations of divine feminine power.
However, he emphasised that the true significance of worshipping girls lies in ensuring that they receive respect, safety, education and equal opportunities to progress.
“Daughters are not merely a source of happiness for families; they are the strength of society and the foundation of the nation's bright future,” he said.
Government initiatives to empower girls
The Chief Minister said several significant initiatives had been introduced under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership to promote women's empowerment. Schemes and measures such as Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam and Lakhpati Didi were creating new opportunities for women and girls.
The Uttarakhand government was also extending support at every stage of a girl's life, from birth and education to skill development and employment, he added.
Dhami said women had been provided 30 per cent horizontal reservation in government jobs in the state.
Under the Nanda Gaura Yojana, financial assistance of ₹11,000 is provided upon the birth of a girl, while ₹51,000 is given when she passes Class 12. More than four lakh girls have benefited from the scheme so far.
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 access to education for every girl
Dhami said the state government was committed to ensuring that no girl was deprived of education because of financial difficulties.
Free textbooks are being provided to students from Class 1 to Class 12 in government and aided schools. The Mukhyamantri Medhavi Chhatra Protsahan Yojana, Mukhyamantri Uchcha Shiksha Protsahan Scholarship Scheme and Gargi Sanskrit Balika Scholarship Scheme are also being implemented to encourage students.
Initiatives such as the free bicycle scheme and the construction of women's hostels are further supporting girls' education.
Highlighting the growing importance of digital learning and modern technology, Dhami said smartphones were being distributed to meritorious girls under the Girl Child Education Promotion Programme to connect them with technology and expand opportunities for learning and skill development.
The government was also working towards providing financial assistance through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to students studying in Classes 10 and 12 in government schools so they could obtain tablets and access better digital education facilities.
Focus on skills, innovation and entrepreneurship
The Chief Minister said continuous efforts were being made to connect girls with skill development, innovation and self-employment alongside formal education.
Under the Drone Didi scheme, women are receiving training in drone operations. Initiatives such as Alamban Art, Alamban Gaon and Alamban Cafe aim to create livelihood opportunities for women and adolescent girls in need.
Through the Navya 2.0 initiative, adolescent girls and young women in Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar districts are also being provided training in skill development and entrepreneurship.
Dhami said these programmes were intended to help girls become economically independent and enable them to participate more actively in the state's development.
Safety of girls remains a priority
The Chief Minister stressed that the safety of girls was as important as their education and remained a top priority for the state government.
He said the government was committed to preventing child marriage and addressing other social evils. A five per cent horizontal reservation in government services had been provided for orphaned children.
To ensure legal assistance and psychological care for children affected by offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, support persons had been appointed in every district.
Every girl, he said, must have the opportunity to pursue education in a safe environment, free from fear, and move forward with confidence.
Over 35,000 government jobs provided in five years
Dhami said the state government had implemented a stringent anti-cheating law to ensure that the hard work and talent of young people were not undermined in recruitment examinations.
More than 35,000 young people had secured government jobs in Uttarakhand over the past five years, he said.
The Chief Minister encouraged girls to dream big, work consistently towards their goals and move forward with self-confidence. He reiterated the government's commitment to providing every girl with opportunities to progress as part of its vision to make Uttarakhand one of the leading states in the country.
Girls' empowerment essential for social progress: Rekha Arya
Women Empowerment and Child Development Minister Rekha Arya said the state government, under Dhami's leadership, was continuously working to strengthen girls' education, safety and self-reliance.
She said the Girl Child Education Promotion Programme sought not only to recognise the achievements of meritorious students but also to inspire other girls to pursue their ambitions.
Providing equal opportunities to girls and enabling them to become self-reliant were essential for the overall development of society, she added.
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.
