Lucknow: Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday dedicated the day to Skandamata Devi, the fifth form of Goddess Durga, saying her worship underscores that the nation’s security and future depend on women being healthy, educated and empowered.
He said lakhs of girls had earlier dropped out due to lack of basic facilities, and claimed that after Operation Kayakalp, the coverage of basic facilities in govt schools increased from 36% to 96%.
He alleged that before 2017, previous govts focused on “nurturing their own political clans” instead of empowering daughters, claiming the health of mothers and education of girls suffered due to neglect and corruption. Yogi said poor hospital conditions, medicine shortages and inadequate arrangements for institutional deliveries had earlier pushed maternal and infant mortality to “alarming” levels. In his daily Navratri message on women’s empowerment, the chief minister wrote on social media platform X that Skandamata symbolises affection, motherly love and nourishment. The chief minister also highlighted changes in school infrastructure and retention.
He also said expanding education up to Class 12 in Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas is enabling girls to complete schooling in the same institution.
“Investing in girls’ education is an investment in strengthening their confidence and the future of the state,” he said.