Garhwal Post Bureau
Rishikesh, 6 Oct: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated 12 economic activities worth Rs 1.20 crore for Cluster Level Federations (CLFs) under the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) at the ‘Saras Aajeevika Mela’ in Rishikesh today. On this occasion, he simultaneously also laid the foundation stone for 10 additional CLFs with proposed economic activities valued at Rs 1 crore. On the occasion, the Chief Minister also inaugurated the ‘Rising Tehri – Physics Wala Online Coaching Class’, which will enable rural youth to prepare for competitive examinations such as JEE and NEET while staying in their native villages.
Addressing the gathering, the CM lauded the initiative undertaken by the Rural Development Department and the District Administration under the ‘Gramotthan Project’ and described it as a commendable effort to promote self-reliance and entrepreneurship in rural areas. Addressing a large gathering of Self-Help Group (SHG) members and rural entrepreneurs, Dhami said the Mela represents a unique initiative to showcase the rich cultural traditions, skills, and entrepreneurial spirit of Uttarakhand’s rural communities. He added that such Aajeevika Melas not only provide an excellent platform for local products but also help realise the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Vocal for Local’.
The CM also observed that through such fairs, efforts are being made to connect rural artisans, women SHGs, handicraftsmen, entrepreneurs, agricultural producers, and local skills to national and international markets. He said that the stalls set up by SHGs at the fair carry forward the message of “Adopt Swadeshi”, urging people to give priority to products made in villages, within the state, and across the country.
Dhami asserted that purchasing Swadeshi products is not merely an act of buying an item but an investment in the dreams of rural artisans, women, and local entrepreneurs. He said that adopting Swadeshi not only preserves India’s culture and tradition but also ensures livelihood security for farmers, artisans, and small entrepreneurs.
Quoting the Prime Minister, he said that the foundation of Aatmanirbhar Bharat lies in Swadeshi and termed the Mela a strong step in that direction, as it would help local products attain wider recognition. He pointed out that women in Uttarakhand have been among the first to embrace this vision, and presently the SHG women are giving new dimensions to Swadeshi products through their dedication and enterprise. He appealed to the public to support the “Adopt Swadeshi” campaign by purchasing locally produced goods from the fair, thereby contributing to women’s economic empowerment.
Claiming the government’s focus on women’s upliftment, the CM said that when a woman is economically empowered, she strengthens not just her family but the entire society. With this vision, the state government has prioritised women’s empowerment through schemes such as ‘Lakhpati Didi Yojana’, ‘Mukhyamantri Sashakt Bahana Utsav Yojana’, and ‘Mukhyamantri Mahila Swayam Sahayata Samuh Sashaktikaran Yojana’.
Dhami also reminded that under the Lakhpati Didi Yojana, over 1.65 lakh women in the state have become Lakhpatis, while under the Mukhyamantri Sashakt Bahana Utsav Yojana, women have established around 2,000 stalls, generating a marketing turnover of nearly Rs 5.5 crores. He added that products made by women are now reaching global markets through the government’s ‘House of Himalayas’ brand. The state’s Rural Livelihood Mission currently comprises more than 5 lakh members across 68,000 SHGs, 7,500 Village Organisations, and 534 Cluster Level Organisations.
Dhami reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening women farmers, stating that under the Farm Livelihood and Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Yojana, capacity building and skill development initiatives have benefited over 3 lakh women farmers. He said the government has established 2.5 lakh Agri-Nutri and Kitchen Gardens and provided around 500 Farm Machinery Banks, while over 5,000 women farmers are being connected with organic farming.
The CM further claimed that these concerted efforts have improved the economic condition of women across Uttarakhand, who are now scripting a new chapter of self-reliance, a fact visibly reflected in the vibrancy of the Saras Mela. Cabinet Ministers Ganesh Joshi and Subodh Uniyal, members of SHGs, rural entrepreneurs, and local residents were among those present on the occasion.
