Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 23 Aug: Around 20,000 women tied rakhis to Cabinet Minister Ganesh Joshi at a grand Raksha Bandhan celebration organised at Survey Stadium, Hathibarkala, here today. On this occasion, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami was the chief guest, while National Commission for Women chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar and BJP Parliamentary Board and BJP’s Central Election Committee member Sudha Yadav were the distinguished guests.
Women from different sections of society, including Veer Naris, participated in the celebration and wished Ganesh Joshi long life, happiness and prosperity. Cultural performances in Garhwali, Kumaoni and Nepali added to the festive atmosphere. Vijaya Rahatkar also tied a rakhi to Ganesh Joshi, while his wife Nirmala Joshi and BJP state secretary Neha Joshi tied rakhis to the CM.
Dhami said the participation of nearly 20,000 women reflects their affection, trust and blessings for Ganesh Joshi. He also reminded the gathering of various initiatives of the Narendra Modi government aimed at women’s empowerment, including Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, Ujjwala Yojana, the Nari Shakti Vandan Act and the Lakhpati Didi campaign.
Rahatkar observed that Raksha Bandhan symbolises love, trust and the commitment to protect and respect the women. She said women in the hills are reaching new heights as ‘Lakhpati Didis’ and ‘Drone Didis’, and she also stressed on the need to strengthen their security, dignity and self-reliance.
Sudha Yadav congratulated Ganesh Joshi on the successful organisation of the event and said the participation of thousands of women reflects their affection and trust in him. She also recalled Uttarakhand women’s tradition of tying rakhis to trees as a message of environmental protection.
Ganesh Joshi said the affection of his ‘sisters’ is his greatest strength and inspiration. He said women of the Mussoorie Assembly constituency are part of his family and standing by them in their joys and sorrows is a familial responsibility rather than a political obligation.
Minister of State ranked Vinay Rohila, BJP state secretary Neha Joshi, Jyoti Kotia, Shamsher Singh Bisht, BJP Mahanagar president Siddharth Agrawal and a large number of women were present on this occasion.
