Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami honoured 149 meritorious girls with smartphones at a state programme held in Dehradun on International Day of the Girl. The students had performed exceptionally in the Uttarakhand Board’s High School and Intermediate examinations.

The event, titled the Balika Shiksha Protsahan Programme, was held at the IRTD auditorium. Dhami congratulated the students and wished them success in their future endeavours.

Education and digital access

Dhami said the occasion had added significance because International Day of the Girl coincided with the first day of Sharadiya Navratri. He referred to the long-standing cultural tradition of viewing girls as embodiments of शक्ति and said its true meaning lay in ensuring their respect, safety, education and equal opportunities.

The chief minister described girls as a source of strength for society and a foundation for the country’s future. He said the smartphones presented under the programme were intended to connect meritorious girls with technology, information and new opportunities for knowledge and skill development.

He also said work was being undertaken to provide funds through direct benefit transfer for tablets for Class 10 and Class 12 students studying in government schools. The measure, he said, would support better access to digital education.

The state provides free textbooks from Class one to Class 12 in government and aided schools, according to the initiatives listed during the programme. Other education measures mentioned included the Chief Minister’s Meritorious Student Incentive Scheme, the Chief Minister’s Higher Education Incentive Scholarship Scheme and the Gargi Sanskrit Girl Scholarship Scheme.

The government is also promoting girls’ education through a free bicycle scheme and the construction of women’s hostels. Dhami said the state’s objective was to ensure that no girl left education because of financial hardship.

Support from birth to employment

Dhami said the state government was supporting girls from birth through education, skill development and employment. Under the Nanda Gaura Scheme, financial assistance of ₹11,000 is provided at the birth of a girl, while ₹51,000 is provided after she passes Class 12. More than 4 lakh girls have benefited from the scheme, he said.

The Chief Minister Mahalakshmi Scheme focuses on the health and nutrition of mothers and newborn children. The Chief Minister Vatsalya Scheme provides financial support to children living in difficult circumstances.

The chief minister also referred to a 30% horizontal reservation for women in government jobs in the state. He said initiatives such as Drone Didi were providing training in drone operations, while Alamban Art, Alamban Village and Alamban Cafe were intended to create livelihood opportunities for women and adolescent girls.

Through Navya 2.0, adolescent girls and young women in Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar are being provided training in skill development and entrepreneurship, he said. The programmes are aimed at linking education with skills, innovation and self-employment.

Safety and wider empowerment measures

Dhami said the safety of girls remained a top priority alongside education. He said the government was committed to preventing child marriage and other social evils.

The state has 5% horizontal reservation in government services for orphaned children, according to the details shared at the event. Support persons have also been arranged in every district to provide legal assistance and mental care to children affected by offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.

Dhami also cited national women’s empowerment initiatives, including Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao, the Sukanya Samriddhi Scheme, the Nari Shakti Vandan Act and Lakhpati Didi. He said these measures were opening new opportunities for women and girls.

Women Empowerment and Child Development Minister Rekha Arya said the state government, under Dhami’s leadership, was continuing to work for girls’ education, safety and self-reliance.

Conclusion

The Dehradun programme combined recognition for 149 high-performing girls with details of Uttarakhand’s education, digital access, safety, scholarship, skill and livelihood initiatives. The government’s stated focus is to help girls continue their studies and gain wider opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How many girls received smartphones?

A. Smartphones were presented to 149 meritorious girls.

Q. Why were the girls honoured?

A. They had performed exceptionally in the Uttarakhand Board’s High School and Intermediate examinations.

Q. Where was the programme held?

A. The programme was held at the IRTD auditorium in Dehradun.

Q. What assistance is available under the Nanda Gaura Scheme?

A. The scheme provides ₹11,000 at the birth of a girl and ₹51,000 after she passes Class 12.

Q. How many girls have benefited from the Nanda Gaura Scheme?

A. More than 4 lakh girls have benefited from it.

Q. What is the proposed tablet support for students?

A. The government is working to provide funds through direct benefit transfer for tablets for Class 10 and Class 12 students in government schools.

Q. Which areas are covered by Navya 2.0?

A. Navya 2.0 provides skill development and entrepreneurship training to adolescent girls and young women in Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar.

Q. What support is available to children affected by offences under the POCSO Act?

A. Support persons have been arranged in every district to provide legal assistance and mental care.