Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that true significance of the Kanya Pujan ritual is only when the daughters are provided with respect, security, education and equal opportunities for progress. He said this after presenting smartphones to 149 meritorious girl students at the girl child education promotion programme held on the occasion of International Girl Child Day at the IRTD auditorium here on Sunday.
The CM said that the coincidence of International Girl Child Day and the first day of Shardiya Navratri occurring simultaneously is special. For centuries, girls have been revered in Indian culture as a symbol of power. Daughters are not only the source of happiness for the family, but also the strength of society and the foundation of the nation’s bright future, he said.
Dhami said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, many important initiatives have been taken towards women’s empowerment. Initiatives like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, Nari Shakti Vandan Act and Lakhpati Didi are providing new opportunities for women and daughters to progress. The State government is also providing support at every level, from the birth of daughters to their education, skill development and employment.
Further, 30 per cent horizontal reservation is being provided to women in government jobs in the State. Under the Nanda Gaura Yojana, financial assistance of Rs 11,000 is provided on the birth of a daughter and Rs 51,000 on her passing class XII. More than four lakh daughters have benefitted from this scheme so far. Special attention is being given to the health and nutrition of mothers and newborns through the Chief Minister’s Mahalakshmi Yojana. Financial assistance is being provided to children living in difficult circumstances through the Chief Minister’s Vatsalya Yojana. Stating that the government is striving to ensure that no girl is deprived of education due to financial constraints, he said that free textbooks are being provided in government and aided schools from classes I to XII.
Students are being encouraged through the Chief Minister’s Meritorious Student Incentive Scheme, the Chief Minister’s Higher Education Incentive Scholarship Scheme, and the Gargi Sanskrit Girl Scholarship Scheme. Initiatives such as the free bicycle scheme and the construction of women’s hostels are also promoting girl education. Stating that digital education and modern technology are of particular importance in today’s times, Dhami said that the goal of providing smartphones to meritorious girls under the Girl Child Education Promotion programme is to connect them with technology and provide them with new opportunities for knowledge and skill development. He said that work is also underway to provide funds through DBT to provide tablets to students in classes X and XII in government schools. This will provide students with better opportunities for digital education.
Women Empowerment and Child Development minister Rekha Arya said that under the leadership of CM Dhami, the State government is continuously working for the education, safety and self-reliance of girls. The purpose of honoring meritorious girls through the Girl Child Education Promotion programme is to encourage their achievements and inspire other girls to move forward.
Cabinet minister Khajan Das, additional secretary Karmendra Singh, director of Women Empowerment and Child Development Banshilal Rana and others were also present on the occasion.
