Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday called for an end to social evils such as corruption, drug abuse and terrorism, while stressing that women’s safety, dignity and empowerment must remain central to society.
He said the festivals of Navratri and Vijayadashami offered an opportunity to overcome personal and social evils and uphold the values of truth and righteousness.
He urged people to take the message of Navratri and Vijayadashami to every household and give up negative tendencies. The occasion also provides an opportunity to overcome evils affecting personal, family, social and spiritual life or hindering the nation’s progress.
He said there should be no place for addiction, corruption, anarchy, insecurity or terrorism in society. “Celebrate festivals with enthusiasm and joy, but ensure that security and discipline are not neglected,” he said. Adityanath said Vijayadashami represents the victory of righteousness, truth and justice over unrighteousness, falsehood and injustice.
Extending greetings on Maha Navami of Sharadiya Navratri and ahead of Vijayadashami (Dussehra), which will be celebrated on Tuesday, Adityanath said the festivals conveyed the message of eliminating social evils while safeguarding the nation’s unity and strength.
Under the Mukhyamantri Kanya Sumangala Yojana, the state government provides financial assistance of ₹ 25,000 to eligible girls at different stages of their lives, from birth to graduation, Adityanath said. He also referred to marriage-related assistance schemes under which eligible beneficiaries receive ₹ 1 lakh.
Emphasising the importance of women in Sanatan tradition, he said the worship of Goddess Bhagwati and the Kanya Pujan ritual during Chaitra and Sharadiya Navratri reflected the high regard for feminine power. He said the state government’s Mission Shakti campaign drew inspiration from this tradition and focused on women’s safety, dignity and empowerment. “A society that worships Goddess Bhagwati cannot permit conduct that undermines women’s dignity,” Adityanath said, reiterating that women’s safety, dignity and empowerment remained priorities for his government.
