Lucknow, 28 Aug (HS): Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said

that Rakshabandhan is not just a festival of tying the sacred thread, but a

symbol of faith, trust, respect, self-respect, and self-reliance. This festival

strengthens family and social ties and is also linked to the economic

independence of local artisans and handicrafts people. Many of the Rakhis my

daughters tied to me today were handmade. Around 15 crore Rakhis are being tied

in the state. Each of these Rakhis is linked to the economic activity of an

artisan, handicraftsperson, shopkeeper, and market. When a Rakhi is purchased,

the money reaches the artisan and then returns to the market, fueling

development.

The Chief Minister attended the Daughter and Sister -

Jewel of UP Snehbandhan program on Friday. On this occasion, he said that

reverence and respect create trust, trust strengthens self-respect and

self-reliance, and only a self-reliant society accelerates development. With

this vision, Mission Shakti is being implemented in the state for the safety,

respect, and self-reliance of daughters. Today, daughters are attending school

without fear and are advancing in every field, from education to employment.

The picture of education changed for poor daughters: Sharing

his experiences from the early days of his tenure, the Chief Minister said that

during a visit, he saw some girls from poor families going to school barefoot

and without uniforms. Their brothers, on the other hand, had shoes and

uniforms. Following this experience, he decided to provide the girls with two

uniforms, bags, books, shoes, socks, and sweaters in winter. 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 every year.

The process of construction of schools has started in all

the development blocks of the state:

The Chief Minister said that previously, a large number of

girls dropped out of school after eighth grade in Kasturba Gandhi Balika

Vidyalayas. The government has decided to expand these schools to 12th grade

and has begun the process of building schools in all 825 development blocks of

the state. The number of girls enrolled in Atal Residential Schools has also

been increased.

From Sainik School to employment, equal opportunities for

daughters: Chief Minister Yogi said that the country's first Sainik School,

named after Param Vir Chakra winner Captain Manoj Pandey in Lucknow, began

admitting girls in 2018. Today, all Sainik Schools in the country have opened

the door for girls to enroll in them. The government's goal is to provide an

environment for girls to progress according to their potential.

More than 36 percent of women are employed: The Chief

Minister said 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 underway 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 big picture of a changing Uttar Pradesh and

women's empowerment.

Free bus travel for women on Rakshabandhan: The Chief

Minister informed that on the occasion of Rakshabandhan, free travel is being

provided to women on the Uttar Pradesh Transport Corporation and city bus

services on August 27, 28, and 29. Any daughter, sister, or mother, along with

one companion, can travel without fare during these three days.

Following this, free travel is also being extended to every

mother over 60 years of age on Uttar Pradesh Transport Corporation buses.

Women's participation is not limited to law enforcement alone. The Chief

Minister stated that there is no area of life where daughters are not

advancing. Referring to the Nari Shakti Vandan Act under the leadership of

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Yogi said that women's participation will not be

limited to law enforcement alone, but they will also play a significant role in

law-making institutions. Women's participation is already prevalent in

Panchayats, and their role is expected to increase in the Legislative Assembly

and Lok Sabha.

Under the guidance of Prime Minister Modi, the government

stands with daughters: Extending his best wishes to all the daughters, sisters,

and mothers of the state on Rakshabandhan, the Chief Minister said that under

the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the double-engine government

stands firmly with the daughters. He urged them to work hard and diligently

towards their goals and contribute to the development of the state and the

country.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi