Champawat: On the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in the ‘Mukhyamantri Sashakt Behna Utsav-2026’ programme at Ramleela Maidan, Dhura, on Thursday. During the event, he inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for 50 development projects worth ₹62.97 crore aimed at the overall development of Champawat.
The Chief Minister inaugurated 20 projects worth ₹11.08 crore and laid the foundation stones for 30 new projects worth ₹51.89 crore. These projects will strengthen basic infrastructure related to roads, drinking water, irrigation, flood protection, and religious tourism.
The Chief Minister also announced several new development projects for the area. These include drinking water schemes, connectivity roads, construction and improvement of roads, beautification of temples, flood and soil erosion protection works, suspension bridges, irrigation tubewells, and road asphalting.
The Chief Minister extended Raksha Bandhan greetings to the women after receiving the sacred thread of protection from them and interacted with women in the Kumaoni language. He said that respecting and empowering women, promoting self-reliance, and ensuring a bright future for daughters are among the top priorities of the state government.
He said that women’s empowerment does not simply mean providing them with the benefits of government schemes. It also means ensuring that women are educated, healthy, safe, and self-reliant, while enabling them to participate in decision-making within their families and society.
The Chief Minister said that several projects aimed at improving education and healthcare for girls in Champawat are being implemented at a fast pace. These include a Women’s Sports College, an Integrated Nursing Institute, a Women’s Technology Park, a college hostel, and an ITI laboratory.
He also emphasized promoting local products prepared by women associated with self-help groups. The Chief Minister said that initiatives such as ‘Vocal for Local’, House of Himalayas, Hilans Outlets, food vans, and e-rickshaws are creating opportunities for women to become not merely job seekers but job creators.
After the programme, the Chief Minister inspected stalls set up by various departments. At the Child Development Department’s stall, he cut a cake with young girls to convey the message of ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ (Save the Daughter, Educate the Daughter) and also distributed Raksha Bandhan gifts to women.
