Women farmers awards presented
By Our Staff Reporter
DEHRADUN, 8 Mar: On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Uttarakhand’s Agriculture Minister Ganesh Joshi participated in the “Uttarakhand Progressive Women Farmer Award 2025” event, organized by the Agriculture Department at Survey of India Auditorium, Hathibarkala. The event was graced by the presence of Hans Foundation founder Mata Mangla as the Chief Guest.
During the ceremony, Joshi and Mata Mangla honoured women farmers from across the state for their outstanding contributions to agriculture.
Mata Mangla extended her wishes on International Women’s Day, stating that “Women are the backbone of society, and no society can progress without them.” She emphasized that women are not only responsible for nurturing families and society but are also the foundation of leadership and progress. Mata Mangla encouraged women to focus on education, employment, and self-reliance, urging them to realize their potential and strive for new heights.
Minister Ganesh Joshi praised the role of women farmers, stating that “Women played a crucial role in the creation of Uttarakhand as a separate state, and today, they continue to contribute significantly to strengthening the state’s economy.” He highlighted the various welfare schemes run by the Agriculture Department and the government’s commitment to women’s empowerment.
The Agriculture Minister also mentioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of creating three crore “Lakhpati Didis” across India. To align with this vision, the Uttarakhand government has set a goal to create 1.5 lakh “Lakhpati Didis” by November 2025 as part of the state’s Silver Jubilee Year celebrations.
He reiterated that “Women are at the center of society, and the government is continuously working towards their empowerment.” Through various policies and initiatives, the state government is committed to making women financially independent.
Women farmers from different districts shared their experiences during the event.
Self-help group members praised the government’s initiatives, stating that “We see the Dhami government as our maternal home, where every need is taken care of.”
Women also expressed their appreciation for Agriculture Minister Ganesh Joshi, saying that “He plays a fatherly role for self-help group women, offering constant support and encouragement.”
The following women farmers were honored with the “Uttarakhand Progressive Women Farmer Award 2025”: Almora – Sumitra Devi, Kamla Bhandari; Bageshwar – Kavita Mehta, Dhana Koranga; Rudraprayag – Anju Devi, Nidhi Rana; Chamoli – Maheshwari Devi, Shobha Devi; Champawat – Indira Kulyan, Deepa Naithani; Haridwar – Krishna Rawat, Sunita Chaudhary; Pauri – Anjali Devi, Laxmi Devi; Pithoragarh – Rekha Bhatt, Babita Singh; Tehri – Sarita Kothiyal, Laxmi Saklani; Udham Singh Nagar – Kavita Tiwari, Rinku Rana; Dehradun – Rajni Devi, Vimla Devi; Nainital – Savitri Garjola, Rajni Rawat; and Uttarkashi – Urmila Devi, Shruti Rawat, Deepika Kaintura.
The event was attended by Rajya Sabha MP Naresh Bansal, Cantt MLA Savita Kapoor, Dehradun Mayor Saurabh Thapliyal, Municipal Councilor Meera Saklani, Agriculture Secretary SN Pandey, Director General of Agriculture Ranveer Singh Chauhan, Director Deepti Singh, and several women farmers from across the state.
