Noting the strides made by the women of Uttarakhand, President of India Draupadi Murmu said the state had “consolidated its glory” by appointing Ritu Khanduri Bhushan as the state’s first woman president in 2022, and expressed hope that it would pave the way for more women representation in the state Legislative Assembly.
The President, who was addressing a two-day special session of the Assembly to mark the 25th Foundation Day of Uttarakhand, referred to the people of the state and congratulated them for achieving improvement in human development indicators and self-governance, especially monitoring the efforts of women in the strides achieved by the state.
“Such efforts will continue the proud legacy of exceptional women like Sushila Baluni, Bachandri Pal, Gaura Devi, Radha Bhatt and Vandana Kataria,” she said. “I hope that with the active efforts of all stakeholders, the number of women members in the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly will continue to increase.”
Murmu also congratulated the Indian cricket team on their first World Cup victory. “It is a great day for the state, the country and the world. Our daughters have given a message to the world that women are not second to anyone. Women constitute half of the country’s 140-crore population, and on the road to Vixit Bharat 2047, everyone’s contribution is crucial,” she said.
The President is on a three-day visit to the state to participate in the silver jubilee celebrations of the founding of Uttarakhand. This is the second time the President has addressed the Uttarakhand Assembly – the first being Pranab Mukherjee’s visit in May 2015.
“During the tenure of Atal Bihari Vajpayee as Prime Minister, this state was created in November 2000, as per the aspirations of the people here, for better governance and balanced development. It is encouraging that over the past 25 years of its journey, the people of Uttarakhand have achieved milestones in development. The state has made commendable progress in the areas of environment, energy, tourism, healthcare and education. There has been development in digital and physical connectivity as well. As infrastructure,” Murmu said.
She said the state has made progress in areas such as literacy, women’s education, maternal and infant mortality rates and accessibility to healthcare. Pointing out that the names of Kumaon Regiment and Garhwal Regiment are testimonies to the military heritage of this land, she said: “The youth here are showing great enthusiasm to serve in the Indian Army and protect the motherland. This tradition of bravery is a matter of pride for all Indians. Many public servants from Uttarakhand have made significant contributions in strengthening the democratic traditions of India.”
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Moreover, she congratulated the council members on the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code, which she said was implemented “in accordance with the vision of the drafters of the Constitution and as a guiding principle of the Constitution.” “I have been informed that the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly has passed more than 550 bills. Among them are the Uttarakhand Lokayukta Bill, the Uttarakhand Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Bill, and the Anti-Cheating Bill. I appreciate all the past and present legislators for passing such laws inspired by transparency, ethics and social justice,” she added.
The preppers were smart.
Leader of the House and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said the President was the embodiment of motherly affection, spirit of service and unwavering devotion to the nation. He recalled the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in order to obtain a separate state for the people. “People – women and youth – have sacrificed their lives and made contributions for the realization of the state,” he said, adding that these values should guide them forward.
Opposition leader and Congress leader Yashpal Arya said the slogan ‘Jal, Jangal, Zameen’, a sentiment familiar to the President, motivates the women of the state. “Women in Uttarakhand consider the forest to be their parents’ home. We have seen how they have protected their forest by fighting the authorities. Famous movements like the environmental movements, especially the Chipko movement, started from Reni, a small village in Chamoli,” he said. Arya also pointed out the challenges plaguing the state, including poor implementation of the Forest Rights Act 2006, migration, and human-wildlife conflict.
(tags for translation)President Draupadi Murmu
