The Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Pushkar Singh Dhami, participated in the celebration of the Hartalika Teej festival for Gurkha women, which took place on Sunday at the Jaswant Singh Stadium in Garh Kantt, Dehradun.
On the occasion of the event, the official announced plans to organize the Hartalika Teej festival on a larger, state-level scale. According to a statement released by the Uttarakhand CMO, Dhami conveyed greetings to the Gurkha community women, wishing them happiness, peace, prosperity, and well-being.
The official emphasized that Hartalika Teej symbolizes the unwavering self-sacrifice, faith, devotion, and strength of Goddess Parvati. He noted that this festival encourages people to move towards their goals with determination and firm belief.
Furthermore, he added that traditional celebrations like Teej play an important role in maintaining the connection of the younger generation with their culture and roots. The statement also indicated that women are the primary custodians of culture, traditions, and values, and their efforts ensure the transmission of language, folk traditions, and cultural heritage from one generation to the next.
The Chief Minister stated that the Gurkha community is known for its valor, dedication, hard work, and patriotism. He mentioned that Gurkha soldiers have always demonstrated exceptional courage and bravery in defending the country's borders, and the nation is proud of their spirit of self-sacrifice and service.
He also noted the significant contribution of the Gurkha community to the development of Uttarakhand, as its members contribute through their labor and honesty in fields such as education, sports, art, literature, and social service.
Dhami also announced that on Sunday, the cornerstone of the 'Azad Hind Fauj Shaheed Dwar' memorial complex was laid, which is being built in memory of Captain Dal Bahadur Tape in the Mussoorie constituency. He explained that this monumental entrance will symbolize the valor, sacrifice, and patriotism of the Gurkha community, and will introduce future generations to their sacrifices and contributions.
Referring to the close ties between India and Nepal, the Chief Minister stated that the two countries share not just neighboring relations but centuries-old cultural and familial bonds. He added that, as a resident of the border region, he personally felt the shared culture, warmth, and deep connections between India and Nepal.
Regarding the natural disaster in Nepal, Dhami stated that India supports Nepal during difficult times. He expressed condolences to those affected and wished Nepal a speedy recovery after the crisis.
The official reiterated that empowering women remains one of the government's main priorities. In this regard, the state has provided a horizontal reservation of 30 percent for women in government services. The implementation of the Uniform Civil Code in Uttarakhand is another important step towards strengthening women's rights. The government is also actively working to ensure women's economic self-sufficiency through self-help groups. Over three hundred thousand women in Uttarakhand have become 'Lakshpati Didi', gaining financial independence while simultaneously making a significant contribution to strengthening their families and the state's economy. The Chief Minister affirmed the state government's commitment to women's empowerment and welfare.