Dehradun: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in the Gorkhali Women’s Hartalika Teej Festival organized at Jaswant Singh Ground in Garhi Cantt, Dehradun. On the occasion, he announced that the Hartalika Teej Festival would be organized on a larger and more grand scale at the government level in the future.
Extending Teej greetings to the mothers and sisters of the Gorkhali community, the Chief Minister wished them happiness, prosperity and well-being.
Chief Minister Dhami said that Hartalika Teej symbolizes the penance, faith, dedication and strength of Goddess Parvati. He emphasized that traditional festivals play an important role in connecting the younger generation with their culture, traditions and roots. He said that women, particularly mothers and sisters, are the primary custodians of culture, traditions and values.
Highlighting the contribution of the Gorkhali community, the Chief Minister said that the community is known for its bravery, loyalty, hard work and patriotism. Gorkha soldiers have displayed extraordinary courage in safeguarding the country’s borders. He added that the Gorkhali community has made significant contributions to the development of Uttarakhand in various fields, including education, sports, art and literature, and social service.
The Chief Minister said that the ‘Azad Hind Fauj Shaheed Dwar’, being constructed in the Mussoorie Assembly constituency in memory of Amar Shaheed Captain Dal Bahadur Thapa, would become a symbol of the Gorkha community’s valour, sacrifice and patriotism.
Describing India-Nepal relations as being rooted in centuries-old cultural and familial ties, Chief Minister Dhami expressed his condolences over the natural disaster in Nepal and said that India stands firmly with Nepal during this difficult time.
Highlighting women’s empowerment as a top priority of the state government, the Chief Minister said that 30 percent horizontal reservation has been provided to women in government services. He added that steps have also been taken to strengthen women’s rights through the Uniform Civil Code.
He further stated that through self-help groups, more than three lakh women in Uttarakhand have become ‘Lakhpati Didis’.
Cabinet Minister Ganesh Joshi, Acharya Balkrishna, Geeta Dhami, Gorkhali Sudhar Sabha President Padam Singh Thapa, Gorkhali Women’s Hartalika Teej Festival Committee President Prabha Shah, Gorkha Kalyan Parishad President Jyoti Kotiya, and several other dignitaries were present at the event.
