CM Nayab Singh Saini attends grand Hola Mohalla programme in Sirsa, seeks blessings of Sant Samaj

Hola Mohalla is a symbol of courage, devotion and social harmony: Chief Minister

History of Namdhari community is an inspiring saga of sacrifice, dedication and patriotism: CM

Chandigarh, March 8: Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini on Sunday attended the grand Hola Mohalla programme organised at Namdhari Gurdwara, Jiwan Nagar, in Sirsa district and sought blessings from the Sant Samaj. Addressing a large gathering of Namdhari Sangat that had arrived from across the country and abroad, the Chief Minister said that he felt extremely happy to be present among them on the occasion of the glorious festival of Hola Mohalla being celebrated at this sacred ashram. Bowing at the feet of Sant Dilip Singh Ji Maharaj, he said the Sant Samaj is doing a great service by connecting society through love, service, brotherhood and spirituality.

The Chief Minister said that the sacred land of Sirsa has long been a “Tapobhoomi” of saints and great personalities. In the year 1507, the first Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji set foot on this land. To carry forward his teachings, Gurdwara Sri Chilla Sahib was established here.

He further said that many saints such as Baba Sarsai Nath and Baba Bhooman Shah spread the message of spirituality, service and humanity from this land. Their teachings continue to guide society in the right direction even today.

Hola Mohalla is a symbol of courage, devotion and social harmony

The Chief Minister said that Hola Mohalla is not merely a festival but a living symbol of India’s rich culture, bravery and spiritual tradition. It inspires people to maintain a balance between courage and devotion in life.

He added that the festival is not only about colours but also represents the resolve to stand against injustice and uphold righteousness. Dashmesh Pita Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji had initiated the tradition of celebrating Hola Mohalla to strengthen the Khalsa traditions and promote brotherhood and unity in society along with the enthusiasm of Holi.

Inspiring history of sacrifice and dedication of Namdhari community

The Chief Minister said that the history of the Namdhari community is filled with sacrifice, penance and dedication. The Kuka Movement started by Satguru Ram Singh Ji Maharaj is an important chapter in India’s freedom struggle.

He said that when the country was under colonial rule, the Namdhari community promoted the message of adopting Swadeshi and boycotting foreign goods, which gave new energy to the freedom movement. The Chief Minister also paid tribute to the brave Namdhari martyrs who stood fearlessly before cannons at Malerkotla and sacrificed their lives with smiles but never abandoned the path of truth and self-respect.

Large participation of devotees from across the world

The Chief Minister said that the presence of lakhs of devotees from India and abroad in this year’s Hola Mohalla programme is proof that even in today’s materialistic age, people remain deeply connected with their spiritual roots. He said that the teachings of saints and great personalities guide society in a positive direction and inspire people to follow the path of service, harmony and humanity.

Government moving forward with the mantra of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas”

Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi, both the Central and State Governments are working with the mantra of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas.” He said that this ideology aligns with the principles of “Sarbat Da Bhala” and service to humanity preached by the Namdhari sect.

He informed that the state government celebrates the birth anniversaries of great personalities at the state level and has launched the ‘Sant-Mahapurush Samman Vichar Prachar Evam Prasar Yojana’ to spread their teachings in society.

The Chief Minister said that the Namdhari community has done remarkable work not only in spirituality but also in social reform, cow protection, de-addiction campaigns and environmental conservation. Keeping youth away from the menace of drugs and connecting them with sports and music lays a strong foundation for a bright future of society.

He also said that the Namdhari sect has made significant contributions in agriculture and dairy production, which has helped Haryana become one of the leading states in food grain and milk production in the country.

Government stands with every social and religious initiative

The Chief Minister assured that the Haryana Government stands shoulder to shoulder with society in every religious and social initiative. Whether it is development of infrastructure or ensuring the benefits of welfare schemes reach the last person, the government is working with full transparency and commitment.

Seeking blessings from the saints, the Chief Minister said that everyone should work together to build a Viksit Haryana and Viksit Bharat, where every citizen lives a prosperous, secure and spiritually inspired life.

On this occasion, MP Sh. Ram Chander Jangra, former MP Smt. Sunita Duggal, Sardar Jaspal Singh, Sardar Sukhdev Singh, former MLA Sh. Ramchander Kamboj, District President Sh. Yatinder Singh, Sh. Jagdish Chopra, Sh. Dev Kumar Sharma, Sh. Shishpal Kamboj, Sh. Amirchand Mehta, Smt. Nitasha Sihag, along with representatives of Sant Samaj, Namdhari Sangat and a large number of devotees were present.

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Haryana Strengthens Transparency in Land Records: FCR Dr. Sumita Misra Reiterates Uniform Nomenclature Policy

Clear Ownership Entries to Enhance Accountability and Prevent Misinterpretation

Chandigarh, March 8 - Haryana has taken another significant step toward strengthening transparency and accuracy in land administration, with Financial Commissioner Revenue & Disaster Management Department, Dr. Sumita Misra reiterating the importance of uniform nomenclature of Government lands in revenue records.

Addressing officials here today, Dr. Misra emphasized that standardizing ownership and cultivation entries in jamabandi records will eliminate ambiguity, enhance clarity, and ensure better governance. The move follows earlier instructions issued by the Department of Revenue and Disaster Management in January and July 2021, aimed at streamlining entries related to land owned by the State Government, Central Government, Boards and Corporations, Panchayati Raj Institutions, and Urban Local Bodies.

Dr. Misra highlighted that inconsistent entries such as “Provincial Government” or other variations in the ownership column of jamabandi often led to confusion regarding actual ownership. She directed that all such entries be uniformly recorded as “Haryana Government” wherever applicable, in strict compliance with the Haryana Land Records Manual, 2013. She stated that the reform is not merely procedural but is aimed at ensuring transparency, legal clarity and accountability in public land management.

Explaining the revised framework, Dr. Misra said that land belonging to State Government departments will uniformly reflect “Haryana Government” in the ownership column, while the concerned department will be clearly mentioned in the cultivation column to avoid ambiguity. In the case of Revenue Department lands such as Custodian, Surplus or Nazul categories, the ownership will remain under “Haryana Government,” with Revenue Department and proper specification as in the cultivation column of jamabandi to indicate the exact nature of control.

Similarly, land owned by the Government of India will be recorded under “Central Government,” with the respective department clearly identified in the cultivation column. For properties owned by State Boards and Corporations, the ownership column will mention the name of the concerned Board or Corporation, while the cultivation column will reflect possession of these entities accordingly. Gram Panchayat lands will be recorded under Panchayat ownership with corresponding cultivation entries, and lands belonging to Panchayat Samitis or Zila Parishads will carry their respective institutional names. Urban Local Bodies properties i.e. those of Municipal Committees, Municipal Councils and Municipal Corporations will also reflect the precise name of the concerned body in the ownership column, ensuring complete clarity in records.

Dr. Misra underscored that all corrections in ownership entries must be made strictly in accordance with the procedure prescribed under Paras 7.30 and 7.42 of the Haryana Land Records Manual, 2013. She also clarified that any existing entry in the cultivation column reflecting private individuals will not be altered without following due legal process, thereby safeguarding individual rights.

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Haryana’s Daughters Bringing Pride and Global Recognition to State: Suman Saini

Vice-Chairperson of Haryana State Child Welfare Council Suman Saini Attends District-Level International Women’s Day Programme

Budget for Lado Lakshmi Yojana Increased to ₹6,500 Crore by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini

Chandigarh, March 8 – Vice-Chairperson of the Haryana State Child Welfare Council, Smt. Suman Saini, said that on the occasion of International Women’s Day, the state takes pride in the women of Haryana who have brought laurels not only to the state but also to the entire country through their hard work, courage and talent. She said that Haryana, once known mainly as the land of farmers and soldiers, is now gaining global recognition due to the remarkable achievements of its daughters. Today, daughters of Haryana are showcasing their talent in fields such as sports, science, education, the armed forces, administration and even space.

Smt. Suman Saini was speaking as the Chief Guest at the district-level International Women’s Day programme organised by the Women and Child Development Department in Ladwa on Sunday. During the event, she also visited the exhibition set up by the department. Women employees who had performed outstanding work, along with girls, women and sportspersons who achieved success in various fields, were honoured during the programme.

She said that under the Lado Lakshmi Yojana, lakhs of women are receiving financial assistance of ₹2,100 every month. So far, more than 9 lakh women have benefited from the scheme, and ₹634 crore has been transferred to their bank accounts in four instalments. She further stated that the budget of the Lado Lakshmi Yojana has now been increased to ₹6,500 crore.

She also said that on the occasion of International Women’s Day, daughters of Haryana have once again demonstrated their talent, hard work and determination by achieving success in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination results. She added that the Haryana Government has taken a significant step by providing 50 percent representation to women in Panchayati Raj Institutions. Today, a large number of women in Haryana villages are being elected as Sarpanch, Panch and other representatives, actively contributing to the development of their villages.

Smt. Suman Saini said that educated and aware women are increasingly taking leadership roles. In villages, women are playing a visible role in areas such as education, cleanliness, water conservation and social reforms. She added that nearly 3 lakh girls in the state will be given the HPV vaccine free of cost. Girls who have completed 14 years of age but are not yet 15 will be covered under this programme. This initiative is an important step toward ensuring the healthy and safe future of daughters by protecting them from serious diseases such as cervical cancer.

She further said that in the previous budget, the government launched a scheme to provide interest-free loans of up to ₹1 lakh for women to purchase milch animals. The scheme has shown encouraging results. Out of 943 dairy units established last year, 316 units were set up by women.

In addition, the government plans to open 2,000 new Vita booths and milk bars. Women from Self-Help Groups (SHGs) will be given 20 percent reservation in the allotment of these booths, creating new employment opportunities for rural women and increasing their income.

She also said that the government is launching the Pink Cab Scheme to promote women’s self-reliance. Under this scheme, women will be provided driver training, and interest-free loans of up to ₹10 lakh will be made available for purchasing electric vehicles. This initiative will create new employment opportunities for women.

On this occasion, Kailash Saini, in-charge of the Chief Minister’s Office, Chairman Dr. Ganesh Dutt, District President of BJP Mahila Morcha Vandana Gauri, Chairperson of Ladwa Municipal Committee Sakshi Khurana, and several other dignitaries were present.

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Hundreds of Women Donate Blood on International Women’s Day Across Haryana

Healthy Women Lead to Strong Families and Society: Dr. Mukta Kumar

Chandigarh, March 8 – Dr. Mukta Kumar, Project Director of the Haryana State Blood Transfusion Council, said that on the occasion of International Women’s Day, blood donation camps dedicated to women’s empowerment, health awareness and social service were organised across the state. Through these camps, women were also made aware of the importance of health education, personal care, proper nutrition and regular health check-ups.

She said that a large number of women participated enthusiastically in these camps, and hundreds of women voluntarily donated blood, conveying a strong message of service to humanity.

Dr. Mukta Kumar stated that women’s health is not just an individual concern but is closely linked to the well-being of the entire family and society. When a woman remains healthy, the family stays healthy, and healthy families contribute to a strong and prosperous society. Therefore, raising awareness about women’s health is the need of the hour.

In addition, special awareness camps for organ donation were also organised, where people were informed about the importance of organ donation. Many individuals expressed their willingness to donate organs and filled out consent forms. They were issued organ donor cards, and their details have been uploaded on the national portal of the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO).

She further said that on this occasion, a large number of people, including women blood donors and their family members, pledged to support voluntary blood donation and organ donation.

Dr. Mukta Kumar added that the enthusiastic participation of women on International Women’s Day is an inspiring example of strengthening the values of service, awareness and humanity in society.

Meanwhile, Smt. Ritika Bhatia, a teacher by profession, donated single donor platelets for the 52nd time at the ESIC Blood Centre in Faridabad, marking a rare and inspiring milestone among female donors.

=====================================Haryana Cabinet Ministers Highlight Role of Women in Building a Progressive Nation

Ministers take part in various programmes on International Women’s Day across Haryana

Chandigarh, March 8 – On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the Speaker of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha and Cabinet Ministers of the Haryana Government participated in various programmes across the state, highlighting the importance of women’s rights and equal opportunities, and stressing that the true progress of society and the nation depends on the advancement and empowerment of women.

Haryana Vidhan Sabha Speaker Sh. Harvinder Kalyan attended an inspirational programme as the Chief Guest on the occasion of International Women’s Day at the Brahma Kumaris Gyan Mansarovar Retreat Centre in Panipat. The event was organised on the theme “Vande Mataram – Swarnim Bharat.”

Addressing the gathering, he said that women are the strength of society and when they receive respect, education and values, the nation naturally progresses on the path of development. He added that the entire society must work together to create a safe and positive environment so that daughters can move forward and achieve their goals.

He appreciated the efforts of the Brahma Kumaris in spreading moral and spiritual values among women and said that such programmes play an important role in bringing positive change in society.

Empowerment of Women is the Foundation of a Strong Nation: Arti Singh Rao

Haryana Health Minister Arti Singh Rao extended her heartfelt greetings and best wishes to the women of the state on the occasion of International Women’s Day. She said that the dignity, safety and self-reliance of women form the true foundation of a strong nation.

The Health Minister said that today’s women, through their talent and hard work, are reaching new heights in every field including education, healthcare, administration, science, sports and politics. Arti Singh Rao said that the overall development of society is closely linked to the progress of women. If women are empowered, families and the nation will naturally become stronger.

Highlighting government achievements, the Health Minister said that the Central and State Governments are effectively implementing several important schemes to make women self-reliant, such as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, and Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana.

Holistic Development of Society Possible Only Through Women Empowerment: Ranbir Gangwa

Haryana Public Works and Public Health Engineering Minister Ranbir Gangwa said that International Women’s Day is an important occasion to recognise the rights and contributions of women. Today, women are proving their talent in every field and playing a vital role in the development of society. The Cabinet Minister was addressing a programme organised in Hisar on Sunday to mark International Women’s Day. Paying tribute to great social reformers Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule, he said that the proper development of any society is not possible without women’s empowerment. He said that the Haryana Government is running several schemes to promote women’s education, safety and self-reliance, the benefits of which are reaching women across society. The minister encouraged girl students to move forward through education and set high goals in life.

Vipul Goel Distributes Safety Kits to Sanitation Workers

Haryana Revenue and Urban Local Bodies Minister Sh. Vipul Goel attended a programme as the Chief Guest in Faridabad on Sunday on the occasion of International Women’s Day. He extended his greetings to all women present and appreciated their contribution to society. On this occasion, the Cabinet Minister distributed safety kits and other essential materials to women sanitation workers as a mark of respect for their dedicated service.

Vipul Goel said that International Women’s Day is dedicated to the rights, dignity and empowerment of women. He stated that in 1910, a global voice was raised for women’s rights, and International Women’s Day was first celebrated in 1911. Later, in 1975, the United Nations officially recognized March 8 as International Women’s Day, after which it began to be celebrated worldwide.

He further said that since 2014, several important initiatives have been implemented in the country to strengthen women’s empowerment. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi, priority has been given to women’s dignity and safety. Through the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign, significant efforts were made to address the declining sex ratio in the country and in Haryana, and these efforts have shown positive results.

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Additional Subsidy Will Be Given to Industries Providing Employment to Women: CM Nayab Singh Saini

Chief Minister Launches Haryana Chapter of ‘Mahila Udyamita Manch’

Crores of Rupees Disbursed Under ‘Lado Lakshmi Yojana’, ‘Social Security Pension’ and ‘Har Ghar–Har Grihini’ Scheme

Chandigarh, March 8 – Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini announced that industries providing employment opportunities to women in the state will be given additional subsidy by the State Government.

The Chief Minister was addressing a state-level function organised in Sirsa on the occasion of International Women’s Day.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister launched the Haryana chapter of ‘Mahila Udyamita Manch’ and transferred ₹200.77 crore as the fifth instalment of the ‘Deen Dayal Lado Lakshmi Yojana’, ₹1,338.61 crore under various Social Security Schemes, and ₹20.21 crore under the ‘Har Ghar–Har Grihini’ scheme directly into the bank accounts of eligible women. He also distributed seed money cheques worth ₹3 crore to startups.

Extending greetings to women present at the ceremony, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that while the world is celebrating International Women’s Day, Haryana is also marking 11 years of the ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ campaign, which was launched from the historic land of Panipat.

He described the launch of the Haryana chapter of ‘Mahila Udyamita Manch’ as another major step toward women’s empowerment. He said that the platform would help increase the number of women-led startups by 61 percent. On the occasion, assistance cheques were distributed to 16 women entrepreneurs, and ₹3 crore has been approved for women entrepreneurs. He said the platform would be a blessing for women wishing to start their own businesses.

The Chief Minister said that the platform will familiarize women with modern market technologies and marketing techniques and encouraged more women to join it to take maximum benefit. He added that the government has also proposed the creation of a Workplace Safety Fund of ₹5 crore in the budget, along with the establishment of a POSH Cell and a Vishakha Portal.

Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi for launching the ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ campaign from Panipat 11 years ago, he said that sex ratio in Haryana has improved from 871 in 2014 to 923 today, and the state is now recognised for encouraging the progress of daughters. He also mentioned that the ‘Pradhan Mantri Bima Sakhi Yojana’ was launched from Panipat on December 9, 2024, under which 9,656 women in the state have become Bima Sakhis, building their careers in the insurance sector.

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that in the past 11 years under the leadership of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi, both the environment and respect for women have improved across the country and the state. He said through various initiatives, women have been protected and educated. Women have been freed from the smoke of traditional cooking stoves, liberated from the indignity of open defecation, relieved from the hardship of triple talaq, and granted 33 percent representation in Parliament through a historic legislation.

He further stated that the Vita Booth Allotment Policy in the current budget provides 20 percent reservation for women from Self-Help Groups (SHGs). Additionally, the government has made provisions to establish a modern Gram Haat in every block for marketing products made by SHGs. Earlier, 33 percent of ration depots had already been allotted to women.

The budget also includes provisions to establish 10 modern Matri-Shakti Industrial Creche Networks in industrial areas. Recently, the honorarium of creche workers has been increased from ₹3,000 to ₹15,000 per month, which is the highest in the country.

He said that the ‘Lakhpati Didi Yojana’, announced by the Prime Minister on Independence Day 2023, aims to ensure economic independence for women. In Haryana, 1.06 lakh women have already become Lakhpati Didis, and during the financial year 2026–27, another 3 lakh women will be made Lakhpati Didis.

The Chief Minister said that under the ‘Namo Drone Didi’ scheme, 5,000 women from 500 Self-Help Groups are being provided free training. To promote cultural participation among women, women’s cultural centres are also being established across the state, and 500 centres have already been opened.

He also mentioned schemes such as ‘Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana’, ‘Mukhyamantri Matritva Sahayata Yojana’, ‘Mukhyamantri Doodh Uphaar Yojana’, ‘Mahila Evam Kishori Samman Yojana’ and ‘Mission Indradhanush’, stating that the state government is taking comprehensive steps to safeguard the health of women and children.

The Chief Minister further announced that the state government will establish an Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) to deal with terrorist activities, in which women commandos will also be included. He added that the number of dedicated buses for women passengers and female students will be increased from 273 to 500.

He called upon women to contribute actively toward ensuring a drug-free future for the coming generations, adding that information about drug traffickers can be shared on the government portal and the identity of informants will be kept confidential.

Women and Child Development Minister Shruti Choudhry also extended greetings on International Women’s Day and said that society cannot become strong unless women are empowered. She said the state government has strengthened empowerment through initiatives such as One Stop Centres, the Women Helpline Number and the Anemia-Free Campaign.

Earlier, the Chief Minister also visited an exhibition on women’s empowerment. A sand art show highlighting women’s empowerment and achievements was also presented during the ceremony.

On this occasion, MLA Sh. Gokul Setia also shared his views. Commissioner of the Women and Child Development Department Sh. Shekhar Vidyarthi, Director General of Industries and Commerce Department Sh. Yash Garg, and Director of Women and Child Development Department Dr. Priyanka Soni gave information about departmental achievements.

Among those present at the ceremony were former Governor of Odisha Prof. Ganeshi Lal, former MP Smt. Sunita Duggal, Vice-Chancellor of CDLU Sh. Vijay Kumar, Registrar Sh. Sunil Kumar, and other distinguished guests.

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