Jaipur: Paying rich tributes to Punyashlok Ahilyabai Holkar on her 301st birth anniversary, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma emphasized that an educated, self-reliant, and empowered maternal force is the bedrock of any progressive society.
Addressing a state-level function at the Birla Auditorium in Jaipur on Sunday, the Chief Minister stated that Devi Ahilyabai’s ideals of service, justice, and good governance are the driving forces behind the vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India) and ‘Viksit Rajasthan’ (Developed Rajasthan).
During the grand ceremony, the Chief Minister also released a special book based on the life of Ahilyabai Holkar and made several significant announcements for the upliftment of nomadic communities.
A Legacy of Cultural Renaissance and Leadership
Recalling her historical contributions, the Chief Minister noted that Ahilyabai Holkar was not only known for her administrative brilliance and military leadership—such as forming a women’s military battalion—but also for her dedication to preserving Indian culture. She played a pivotal role in the restoration of numerous pilgrimage sites across the country, including the Kashi Vishwanath temple and the ghats of Pushkar.
Connecting her legacy to the present day, CM Sharma remarked that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the nation is witnessing a similar cultural renaissance. He cited the construction of the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, and the redevelopment of Kedarnath Dham and Mahakal Lok as prime examples of this ongoing revival.
Major Announcements for Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes
Underscoring his government’s commitment to the welfare of the most marginalized sections of society, the Chief Minister made key announcements:
- New Hostel in Jaipur: To facilitate higher education for students belonging to denotified, nomadic, and semi-nomadic tribes, the state government will allocate land for the construction of a dedicated hostel in Jaipur.
- School on Wheels: To ensure that education reaches the children of these moving communities, the government has recently announced the ‘School on Wheels’ initiative.
Transformation of Pilgrimage Sites and Religious Tourism
The state government is actively working on the development of major religious and spiritual centers across Rajasthan.
- Intensive development work is underway at prominent temples, including Mehandipur Balaji, Khatushyamji, Tirtharaj Pushkar, Salasar Balaji, and Shrinathji.
- Senior Citizen Pilgrimage Scheme: Under this initiative, over 91,000 elderly citizens have already been taken on pilgrimages. This year, the government is sending 6,000 senior citizens to Pashupatinath (Nepal) via air travel, while 50,000 pilgrims will travel to various holy sites across India via AC trains.
Historic Steps for Farmers and Livestock Keepers
Praising the Baghel, Gadari, and Dhangar communities for their immense contributions to agriculture and animal husbandry, the Chief Minister highlighted several welfare schemes:
- Gopal Credit Card Scheme: Providing easy and accessible credit facilities to livestock rearers.
- Subsidies and Security: Milk producers are receiving a subsidy of ₹5 per liter. Additionally, the government is ensuring the health and safety of livestock through mobile veterinary units and animal insurance schemes.
An Appeal to Join the ‘Vande Ganga’ Water Conservation Campaign
Addressing the critical issue of water scarcity, the Chief Minister urged the people of the state to actively participate in the ‘Vande Ganga Jal Sanrakshan Jan-Abhiyan’ (Water Conservation Public Campaign), which commenced on May 25 (Ganga Dussehra). Under this campaign, the cleaning, repair, and rejuvenation of water bodies are being carried out on a war footing across the state.
Minister of State for Home Jawahar Singh Bedham and Rajya Sabha MP Madan Rathore also addressed the gathering. The event witnessed the presence of Ahilyabai Holkar’s descendant Uday Singh Raje Holkar, State President of the Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes Federation Dushyant Singh Baghel, along with several public representatives and dignitaries from the Gadariya, Gadri, Gayari, Dhangar, Pal, Baghel, and Holkar communities.
Disclaimer: This article is based on public addresses and official press releases issued by the state government. It aims to provide general information regarding the Chief Minister’s announcements and state policies in an accessible format. For exact rules, eligibility criteria, and application processes related to the ‘Gopal Credit Card’, ‘Senior Citizen Pilgrimage Scheme’, or any other government initiatives, readers are advised to visit the official website of the Government of Rajasthan and the respective departments.
