Ahilyabai Holkar's tercentenary: PM Modi to attend women empowerment convention in Bhopal today
Organised by Matri Shakti (women power), the event marks the inauguration of the 300th birth anniversary year of Devi Ahilyabai Holkar, an icon of good governance, self reliance, and women empowerment.
'On behalf of the 85 million people of Madhya Pradesh, I extend a heartfelt welcome to the Prime Minister. It is a matter of great fortune for us that the celebration of the virtuous Devi Ahilyabai Holkar's birth anniversary, to be held over the coming year, is being inaugurated today from the soil of Madhya Pradesh,' Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said in an official statement.
Ahilyabai Holkar, the revered 18th-century ruler of the Holkar dynasty, is remembered for rebuilding over 130 temples across India, establishing Maheshwar as a cultural and commercial hub.
Her contributions also include granting women rights in property, the right of a widow to adopt a son, and the right to remarry, and made rules to prohibit the dowry system.
To promote holistic development in the state, the Chief Minister announced a 'historic' initiative called Destination Cabinet, aimed at promoting tourism. 'This initiative realises the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to promote tourism. With the aim of remembering our glorious heritage along with modern development and moving forward by drawing inspiration from ideal heroes, we held two cabinet meetings in memory of Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar,' the CM said.
Two special cabinet meetings under the 'Destination Cabinet' initiative were also conducted in Maheshwar and Indore, aimed at implementing prohibition in 19 sacred sites of the state. The state will also launch the Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Training Programme.
Carrying forward the legacy of Ahilyabai Holkar, the Madhya Pradesh government also launched the Devi Ahilyabai Women Empowerment Mission, targeting education, health, safety, and economic self-reliance for women. The mission supports goals like improving the girl child sex ratio, reducing maternal mortality, and boosting female participation in the workforce.
The initiative aims to strengthen the fourth pillar of the guiding mantra of GYAN — (Garib, Yuva, Kisan, Nari — Poor, Youth, Farmer, Woman).
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