Yogi

government's initiative provided new platform for respect and empowerment of

daughters

20

talented girls and alumni were honored in the 'Pragati' program

Flash

mobs, dramas and yoga demonstrations spread the message of women empowerment

850

children participated in the 'Pragati' programme, 23 stalls became the centre

of attraction

It is

impossible to imagine a world without women power

Expansion

of Kasturba schools will provide better opportunities to girls

Government

committed to the education and empowerment of girls: Minister Sandeep Singh

UP has

created a new identity in the education of girls: Additional Chief Secretary

Partha Sarathi Sen Sharma

Meena

Manch and innovation are increasing the confidence of daughters: Director

General of School Education Monika Rani

Lucknow, 08

March (HS): On the occasion of International Women's Day, on the initiative of

the Yogi government, a program “Pragati: From Self-Respect to Equality – Bal

Utsav” dedicated to the self-respect, equality and empowerment of girls was

organized by the Basic Education Department, Uttar Pradesh at Dayal Gateway,

Gomti Nagar in the capital Lucknow.

The

program was inaugurated by lighting the lamp by the State Minister of Basic

Education (Independent Charge) Sandeep Singh. Along with this, comic books prepared

by the children, inspirational success stories of former girls of Meena Manch

and case study booklets related to Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas were also

released during the program. On this occasion, Additional Chief Secretary Basic

and Secondary Education Partha Sarathi Sen Sharma, Director General School

Education Monica Rani, UNICEF Uttar Pradesh Chief Zakari Adam and senior

officials of the Education Department were present.

Chief

Guest Sandeep Singh, Minister of State for Basic Education (Independent

Charge), said in his address that International Women's Day is an occasion to

honor and recognize the contributions of women. He stated that this world is

unimaginable without women's power, and that women play a vital role in the

progress of the world. Referring to Indian culture, he said, Yatra

naryastu pujyante, ramante tatra devata, meaning, Where women are

respected, gods reside there. He said that there was a time when

daughters had fewer opportunities than sons, but today the situation has

changed. Today, daughters are excelling in every field, including education,

sports, science, administration, and technology, achieving top positions in

many competitions.

Minister

Sandeep Singh said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath,

the state government is continuously taking concrete steps for the education,

safety and empowerment of girls. He informed that currently 746 Kasturba Gandhi

Balika Vidyalayas are operating in the state, which are being upgraded to class

12 in a phased manner so that girls can get quality education in a residential

environment. He informed that a decision has been taken to establish Kasturba

Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas in a total of 826 development blocks of the state, so

that girls from every region can get better opportunities for education.

He said

that the Yogi government is running several schemes to provide quality and free

education to children. Through DBT, students are being provided assistance of

Rs 1200 for shoes, socks, school bags, copies and books, so that no child's

education is affected due to financial reasons. He informed that the total

number of children studying from class 1 to 8 in the state is more than 3 crore

19 lakh 17 thousand, which includes 1 crore 51 lakh 12 thousand girls. This

figure reflects the increasing awareness towards girls' education in the state.

Minister

Singh encouraged children to make positive use of digital technology, saying

that today's technology and artificial intelligence are providing new

educational opportunities. The government is providing facilities like tablets

and smart classrooms in schools to promote digital education. However, he

advised children to avoid unnecessary use of mobile phones and social media,

saying that technology should be used for knowledge and learning, not for

wasting time.

Extending

his greetings on International Women's Day, Additional Chief Secretary, Basic

and Secondary Education, Partha Sarathi Sen Sharma, stated that Uttar Pradesh

has seen remarkable progress in girls' education over the past two decades. He

stated that this achievement is a result of growing social awareness and the

government's educational policies. He urged everyone to ensure that no boy or

girl in the state remains out of school through the School Chalo

campaign. He also emphasized the need to increase girls' participation in STEM

subjects like science and mathematics in secondary education.

Director

General of School Education, Monika Rani, said that the Meena Manch and other

educational initiatives provide girls with an opportunity to express their

views and develop leadership skills. She added that girls who excel in sports,

academics, and cultural activities are an inspiration to society. She

encouraged girls to take care of their mental and physical health, use

technology positively, and pursue their goals with discipline.

UNICEF

Uttar Pradesh Chief Zachary Adam said the Pragati program celebrates the

potential, creativity, and leadership of girls. He emphasized that every child,

especially girls, deserves equal opportunities to learn, thrive, and lead. He

added that UNICEF is continuously working with the Uttar Pradesh government,

teachers, and communities to strengthen an inclusive and gender-sensitive

education system.

The

program began with a Saraswati Vandana performed by the students. This was

followed by a video showing activities organized at the district and divisional

levels related to the Children's Festival, showcasing the creative activities

and achievements of children across the state. The girls presented engaging

performances, including flash mobs, street plays, dances, yoga demonstrations,

and mime, based on themes of women's empowerment and self-respect. These

performances conveyed a powerful message about girls' education, rights, and equal

opportunities.

A major

highlight of the program was the honoring of 20 talented girls and alumni who

have achieved outstanding achievements in various fields. These included girls

who have demonstrated remarkable performance in the fields of sports, education,

innovation, and social awareness. Approximately 850 children, teachers, and

parents from various districts of the state participated in the state-level

program. Twenty-three thematic stalls were set up at the venue, showcasing

teaching-learning materials, creative activities, socio-emotional learning,

leadership development, parent engagement, and career counseling.

Pragati:

From Self-Respect to Equality – Bal Utsav was launched as a pilot project

in 2024. Following its success, it was expanded to all 75 districts of the

state in 2025-26. The event was conducted in three phases—the first phase

consisted of district-level competitions, the second phase consisted of

divisional-level Bal Utsavs in 18 divisions, and finally, the state-level

program, where outstanding talents were given the opportunity to participate.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi