‘Raksha Bandhan’- Symbol of faith, trust, and self‑reliance, says Yogi
Lucknow, August 28: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that Raksha Bandhan is not just a festival of tying Rakhi, but a symbol of faith, trust, respect, self-respect, and self-reliance. This festival strengthens family and social bonds and is also linked to the economic independence of local artisans and handicrafts people. Many of the Rakhis that daughters tied to me today were handmade by themselves. Around 15 crore Rakhis are being tied in the state.
He stated that behind each of these Rakhis is the economic activity of an artisan, handicrafts person, shopkeeper, and market. When a Rakhi is purchased, the money reaches the artisan and then returns to the market, fueling development.
Chief Minister attended the “Daughters and Sisters – Jewels of UP” bonding program on Friday. On this occasion, he stated that reverence and respect cultivate trust, that trust strengthens self-respect and self-reliance, and that a self-reliant society accelerates development. With this vision, Mission Shakti is being implemented in the state to ensure the safety, respect, and self-reliance of daughters. Today, daughters are attending school without fear and advancing in every field, from education to employment.
Sharing an experience from the early days of his tenure, the Chief Minister explained that during a visit, he saw some girls from poor families going to school barefoot and without uniforms. Their brothers had shoes and uniforms. Following this experience, he decided to provide daughters with two uniforms, bags, books, shoes, socks, and winter sweaters. Later, this facility was extended to all needy children. Today, approximately 16 million children in the state are provided with two uniforms, bags, books, shoes, socks, and sweaters each year.
Chief Minister said that earlier, a large number of girls used to drop out of school after the eighth grade in Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas. The government has decided to expand these schools to the 12th grade and the process of building schools has been initiated in all 825 development blocks of the state. The number of girls has also been increased in Atal Residential Schools.
Chief Minister Yogi said that in 2018, admission to girls was started in the country’s first Sainik School, named after Param Vir Chakra winner Captain Manoj Pandey, located in Lucknow. Today, admission for girls has been opened in all the Sainik Schools of the country. The government’s goal is to provide girls with an environment in which they can progress according to their potential.
Yogi stated that for a long time, women’s participation in employment in the state remained extremely low. For nearly 75 years after independence, only 12 percent of women were employed, but now this figure has risen to over 36 percent. Initiatives are also being taken forward to build free hostels in major cities for the convenience and safety of working women. Today, women are confidently working night shifts. This is a significant reflection of a changing Uttar Pradesh and women’s empowerment.
CM Yogi informed that on the occasion of Rakshabandhan, women have been provided free travel on the Uttar Pradesh Transport Corporation and city bus services on August 27, 28, and 29. Any daughter, sister, or mother can travel with one companion during these three days without paying fare. Following this, free travel on Uttar Pradesh Transport Corporation buses has also been implemented for every mother over 60 years of age.
Chief Minister said that there’s no area of life where girls aren’t advancing. Referring to the Nari Shakti Vandan Act, enacted under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Yogi said women’s participation won’t be limited to law enforcement; they will also play a key role in law-making institutions. Women’s participation in Panchayats is already prevalent, and their role is expected to increase in the Legislative Assembly and Lok Sabha.
Yogi Adityanath extended his greetings to all the state’s daughters, sisters, and mothers on Raksha Bandhan, stating that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s guidance, the double-engine government stands firmly with them. He urged them to work hard and diligently toward their goals and contribute to the development of the state and the country.
