Garhwal Post Bureau
DEHRADUN, 19 Sep: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday reiterated that the State government is committed to providing proper markets for products made by women. He also emphasised that women must remain positive and focused on their goals and that the government is standing firmly behind them.
Speaking at the Matrushakti Samvad and Samman Samaroh organised at the the Chief Minister’s Camp Office here on Saturday, Dhami interacted directly with the women who shared their views and suggestions on various government schemes. Responding to a query, he said the government is making every effort to promote the skill and entrepreneurship development among women and to take their products to global markets. For this, initiatives such as the Mukhyamantri Udyamshala scheme have been introduced, along with easy loans to encourage women entrepreneurs. He added that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, women across the country and the State are becoming increasingly empowered and that the resilient women of Uttarakhand benefitting especially from women‑centric policies of both the Centre and the State.
On the suggestion of developing women’s self‑help groups (SHGs) into large business entities, Dhami said the government is implementing the Mukhyamantri Sashakt Bahna Yojana. He stressed that the distinctive products made by Uttarakhand’s women have been given a new identity through the House of Himalayas brand. A major centre is being developed on Sahastradhara Road in Dehradun where products from all the 13 districts will be available for sale. He also claimed that the the government efforts are enabling women to move from tailoring and weaving to running factories, and urged them to remain positive and focused on their goals with full government support.
Responding to suggestions for selling group products through GMVN and KMVN guest houses, Dhami said women’s products are being made available at fairs, events, airports, railway stations and bus terminals. He added that House of Himalayas products are also available online and advised women to focus on quality, assuring that once trust is established, customers will come forward on their own. He remarked that the quality of Uttarakhand’s women’s products surpasses that of multinational companies. On another query, he said the government will consider implementing the Mukhyamantri Udyamshala scheme throughout the year.
During the interaction, an emotional moment arose when a woman beneficiary shared that there was a time when her house was sold and her children were left without food, but joining a self‑help group has enabled her to rebuild her family. She said the government’s collateral‑free loans are nothing short of a blessing for people like her. She spontaneously presented a song highlighting the welfare schemes of the Centre and the State, including interest‑free loans, the Lakhpati Didi scheme and the formation of self‑help groups. Through her song, she expressed gratitude, saying women are becoming stronger thanks to policies dedicated to empowerment.
MLA Dalip Rawat, Gau Seva Commission Chairperson Rajendra Anthwal, Neha Sharma, Kiran Bhatt, Prachi Kandwal and a large number of women were among those present on the occasion.
