Haryana State Council for Child Welfare Vice-Chairperson highlights women’s empowerment, youth participation, sports achievements and campaign against drugs

KURUKSHETRA / POD DESK

Haryana State Council for Child Welfare Vice-Chairperson Suman Saini has said that development in Haryana should not be measured merely by the pace of economic growth, but by the extent to which its benefits reach every section of society. She said the poor, farmers, women, youth and other sections of the state must all become active beneficiaries and participants in the development process.

Suman Saini made the remarks while addressing journalists at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Chowk in Ladwa on Sunday after leading a Tiranga Yatra organised as part of the Independence Day celebrations. She said Haryana’s daughters and women were among the strongest pillars of the state’s progress and had demonstrated their capabilities in education, sports, science, administration and several other fields.

Before addressing the media, Suman Saini flagged off the Tiranga Yatra from Shivala Ramkundi. Chief Minister’s Office representative Kailash Saini, district president Ramesh Saini and Municipal Council Chairperson Sakshi Khurana accompanied her during the programme.

Tiranga Yatra passes through Ladwa

The Tiranga Yatra began at Shivala Ramkundi and passed through Agrasen Chowk, Ladwa Main Market and Bhagwan Shiv Shankar Chowk before culminating at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Chowk.

Participants carried the national flag and joined the march in an atmosphere charged with patriotism. On reaching Shaheed Bhagat Singh Chowk, Suman Saini paid floral tribute to revolutionary freedom fighter Shaheed Bhagat Singh and remembered the sacrifices of the country’s freedom fighters and martyrs.

She said India’s independence was secured through the extraordinary sacrifices of countless known and unknown freedom fighters. Their contribution, she said, laid the foundation for the democratic India that citizens enjoy today.

Suman Saini said the Constitution makers had established the country’s democratic foundation on the principles of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity. These values, she added, had become even stronger over the decades and remained central to India’s democratic journey.

She also paid tribute to soldiers guarding the country’s borders, saying that they continued to protect the honour and dignity of the Tricolour even in difficult circumstances.

Haryana’s history of courage and sacrifice

Suman Saini described Haryana as a land of courage, sacrifice and patriotism. She said the state’s contribution to the country’s freedom movement and national security should be remembered and passed on to future generations.

She referred to the grand Shaheedi Smarak being established by the Haryana government at Ambala Cantonment and said the memorial, which has reached the final stages of construction, would serve as a permanent symbol of the sacrifice, struggle and patriotism of the state’s heroes.

She said such initiatives were important for connecting younger generations with the history of India’s freedom movement and inspiring them to understand the value of independence.

According to Suman Saini, Independence Day should not be restricted to ceremonial celebrations. It should also encourage citizens to reflect on their responsibilities towards the country and society.

Development should reach the last person

Speaking about the broader development agenda, Suman Saini said India was strengthening its position among the world’s major economies and moving rapidly towards the goal of becoming a developed nation.

She said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the country was advancing in areas such as self-reliance, innovation and economic development.

However, she stressed that economic growth alone was not sufficient. The real measure of development, she said, was whether the benefits of government policies and economic progress reached people at the last rung of society.

She said the vision of a developed India must therefore include a developed Haryana where economic opportunities, social welfare, education and employment reach all sections.

Suman Saini particularly highlighted the role of women in Haryana’s development. She said the government was working to ensure that women were not treated merely as beneficiaries of welfare schemes but were encouraged to become active participants in the state’s economic and social progress.

Focus on women’s empowerment

Suman Saini said Haryana’s women had repeatedly demonstrated their capabilities across diverse fields. From sports and education to science, administration and public life, women from the state had brought recognition to Haryana.

She referred to the Lado Lakshmi scheme and said women were being provided ₹2,100 per month under the scheme. She also said women from poor families were being provided cooking gas cylinders at ₹500.

She said empowering women was essential for strengthening families and communities and for creating a more balanced and inclusive development model.

According to her, when women receive access to education, employment, financial support and opportunities for leadership, the benefits extend beyond individual families and contribute to the overall development of society.

Suman Saini raises concern over drug abuse

The Vice-Chairperson also identified drug abuse as one of the major challenges facing the state’s youth.

She said addiction was not merely an individual problem but a serious social challenge that could affect young people’s future, families and the wider community.

Referring to the ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan’, she said a nationwide campaign had recently been launched to mobilise young people against drug abuse and encourage them to contribute towards the vision of a drug-free and developed India.

She said public awareness campaigns involving young people, educational institutions, social organisations and communities were necessary to counter the spread of substance abuse.

Suman Saini called upon young people to focus their energy on education, sports, skills, innovation and constructive activities.

Haryana athletes make significant contribution

Suman Saini also praised Haryana’s athletes for their achievements on national and international platforms.

She said Haryana had established a distinctive identity in the world of sports and had consistently produced athletes capable of competing at the highest level.

Referring to the recently concluded Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, she said the Indian contingent secured 39 medals, including 13 gold, 17 silver and nine bronze medals. Haryana athletes made a significant contribution to this performance, winning 10 medals, including seven gold medals.

She particularly appreciated the achievements of Haryana’s women athletes, who won five gold medals.

Suman Saini congratulated the athletes, their coaches and their families and said their achievements would inspire the next generation to take up sports and pursue excellence.

She said the government should continue strengthening sports infrastructure, training facilities and opportunities for young athletes so that Haryana’s sporting talent could achieve even greater success.

The Tiranga Yatra concluded with a strong message of patriotism, social responsibility and inclusive development. Suman Saini said the spirit of Independence Day should inspire citizens to contribute towards a stronger society while remembering the sacrifices that made freedom possible.

Chief Minister’s Office representative Kailash Saini, media coordinator Tushar Saini, district president Ramesh Saini, Municipal Council Chairperson Sakshi Khurana, Mandal presidents Shiv Gupta, Narendra Singh, Vikas Sharma and Amarendra Singh, Jitendra Khaira, Paramjit Kashyap, Poonam Saini, Monika Bansal, Satbir Mangoli, Sunny Kalda, Anil Mata and several other public representatives and citizens were present.

POD/DESK