Chamoli: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited Mana, India’s first border village, and interacted with local residents and pilgrims. He appealed to make the Char Dham Yatra safe, pleasant, and plastic-free, and urged cooperation in environmental conservation.
He received a traditional welcome from local women with folk songs and was presented with local products. The Chief Minister appreciated their culture and traditions.
Appreciation for ‘Lakhpati Didis’
The Chief Minister met the “Lakhpati Didis” of Mana village and praised their work. He said that locally made products are strengthening livelihoods and enhancing Uttarakhand’s identity. He urged pilgrims to support the local economy by purchasing these products.
He added that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, border villages are now being recognized as “first villages” instead of “last villages,” with a strong focus on their holistic development.
Boost to border development through Vibrant Village scheme
He said that under the Vibrant Village scheme, infrastructure in border villages is rapidly expanding, creating new opportunities for employment, tourism, and livelihoods. Development work in areas like Mana reflects balanced and inclusive growth.
Mana becomes 100% ‘Lakhpati Didi’ village
Gram Panchayat Mana has emerged as a model of women empowerment and self-reliance. A total of 82 women associated with 12 self-help groups have become “Lakhpati Didis,” making it Uttarakhand’s first fully “Lakhpati Didi” village.
Women are promoting self-employment through woolen products, handloom, handicrafts, furniture, spices, papad, carpets, food services, homestays, dairy, mushroom production, and small-scale industries. These products are also being marketed through Saras malls and various stalls.
The Chief Minister said that Mana village has become a new example of women empowerment, self-reliance, and holistic development of border areas.
