In a resolute declaration, Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha underscored the government’s commitment to empowering girls and women, inaugurating the Saras Mela and launching the ‘Chesta’ campaign to raise awareness and prevent child marriage at Khowai District.
Addressing attendees, he emphasized the pivotal role of women in societal development, noting the significant strides made through initiatives like self-help groups accessing bank loans, with over 51,000 such groups involving 4.66 lakh women across the state.
Dr. Saha stressed that women’s participation in diverse sectors, from poultry farming to transportation, exemplifies the success of inclusive development policies. He reiterated the government’s dedication to welfare schemes benefiting all sections of society, including the Chief Minister Jan Arogya Yojana.
Highlighting the detrimental effects of child marriage on individuals and society, Dr. Saha called for collective efforts to eradicate this social malaise. He cautioned against the risks posed to maternal and child health by early marriages, emphasizing the need for societal cooperation in combating this issue.
The opening ceremony, presided over by Khowai Zilla Parishad Chairman Jaydev Debvarma, witnessed the distribution of keys to shared service vehicles to members of three self-help organizations by the Chief Minister. The event was attended by dignitaries including Dr. Ramesh Chandra Yadav, Superintendent of Police, MLA Pinaki Das Chowdhury, and Minister of People’s Welfare Vikas Debbarma.
Additionally, Dr. Saha laid the foundation stone and performed the ground puja for the District Administration Residential Complex at Dhalabil in Khowai, marking yet another step towards enhancing infrastructure and governance in the region.