Noting the strides made by Uttarakhand’s women, President of India Droupadi Murmu said the state had “enhanced its glory” by appointing Ritu Khanduri Bhushan as the first woman Speaker of the state in 2022 and hoped it would pave way for more women representation in the state’s Legislative Assembly.
The president, who was addressing a two-day special session of the Assembly to mark Uttarakhand’s 25th Foundation Day, noted and congratulated the people of the state for achieving improvement in human development indices and self-governance, particularly observing the efforts of women in the strides the state has made.
“Such efforts will carry forward the proud legacy of extraordinary women like Sushila Baluni, Bachendri Pal, Gaura Devi, Radha Bhatt, and Vandana Katariya,” 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 maiden World Cup win. “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 make up half of the 140-crore population of the country, and on the road to 2047 Viksit Bharat, everyone’s contribution is crucial,” she said.
The President is on a three-day visit to the state to partake in the silver jubilee celebrations of the formation of Uttarakhand. This is the second time a President addresses the Uttarakhand Assembly — the first was Pranab Mukherjee’s visit in May 2015.
“During the tenure of Atal Bihari Vajpayee as prime minister, this state was established in November 2000, in accordance with the aspirations of the people here, for better governance and balanced development. It is heartening that, over the past twenty-five years of its journey, the people of Uttarakhand have achieved remarkable milestones in development. The state has made commendable progress in the fields of environment, energy, tourism, healthcare, and education. There has also been development in digital and physical connectivity, as well as infrastructure,” Murmu said.
She said that the state has progressed in parameters such as literacy, women’s education, maternal and infant mortality rates, and accessible health care. Remarking that the very names of the Kumaon Regiment and the Garhwal Regiment are testimonies to this land’s martial heritage, she said, “The youth here display great enthusiasm for serving in the Indian Army and protecting 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 India’s democratic traditions.”
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Further, congratulating the Assembly members on implementing the Uniform Civil Code, she said it was implemented “in accordance with the vision of the Constitution-makers and as a directive principle of the Constitution”. “I have been informed that more than 550 bills have been passed by the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly. Among them are the Uttarakhand Lokayukta Bill, the Uttarakhand Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Bill, and the Anti-Cheating Bill. I appreciate all past and present legislators for passing such laws inspired by transparency, morality, and social justice,” she added.
The Speaker of the Assembly, Ritu Khanduri Bhushan, presented Murmu with a Ramman mask, worn by performers at the ritual theatre in Garhwal Himalayas and recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Leader of the House and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that the President was an embodiment of motherhood’s affection, the spirit of service, and unwavering dedication to the nation. He commemorated the martyrs who sacrificed their lives to attain a separate state for the people. “The people – women and youth — sacrificed their lives and made contributions to bring the state to actualisation,” he said, adding that these values should guide them forward.
Leader of Opposition and Congress leader Yashpal Arya said that the slogan of “Jal, Jangal, Zameen”, a familiar sentiment for the President, motivates women of the state. “The women in Uttarakhand see the jungle as their parental home. We have seen how they have protected their jungles by fighting the authorities. Famous movements like environmental movements and, particularly, the Chipko movement started from Reni, a small village in Chamoli,” he said. Arya also mentioned challenges plaguing the state, including poor implementation of the Forest Rights Act, 2006, emigration, and human-wildlife conflict.
