Lucknow, Aug 26 (IANS) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, on Wednesday flagged off special buses in Lucknow under a new initiative offering lifelong free bus travel to women aged 60 and above. The scheme has been named after the 18th-century ruler Ahilyabai Holkar in recognition of her contribution to women’s empowerment, good governance and cultural preservation.

The Chief Minister also distributed smart travel cards to elderly women during the launch of the ‘Lokmata Ahilyabai Matrushakti Yatra Yojana’. Under the initiative, women aged 60 years and above, who are residents of Uttar Pradesh will be entitled to free travel on buses for life.

Speaking at the launch programme, Yogi Adityanath said the initiative had been named ‘Lokmata Ahilyabai Nishulk Bus Yatra’ as a tribute to Ahilyabai Holkar and her role in promoting women’s empowerment and self-reliance.

“Just before Raksha Bandhan, a bus service being operated in the name of Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar will provide free bus travel to every daughter, every sister and every mother on the 27th, 28th and 29th. This facility will also be available to one accompanying passenger,” he said.

“After this, we are also going to provide free travel to all mothers and sisters above the age of 60,” the Chief Minister added.

Yogi Adityanath said that after August 29, any woman above the age of 60 and residing in Uttar Pradesh would be able to avail herself of the facility by showing her voter ID card or Aadhaar card. No fare will be charged from eligible women, he said.

“These two types of services are being started together today. Our Transport Minister, Dayashankar Singh, who has been working for the welfare of women, suggested that this should be announced. We felt that there could be no better occasion than Raksha Bandhan,” he said.

The Chief Minister congratulated the women who had gathered for the programme in Lucknow and extended his greetings to women across all 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh.

Highlighting Ahilyabai Holkar’s legacy, Yogi Adityanath said she had set an exemplary model of women’s self-reliance while ensuring good governance and working to protect spiritual and cultural heritage.

He said Ahilyabai Holkar played an important role during a period of political disorder and instability in the country. Despite the challenges of her time, she pursued the principles of good governance and worked towards preserving India’s cultural and spiritual traditions.

The Chief Minister also highlighted her contribution to the restoration and reconstruction of temples across the country. According to Yogi Adityanath, several temples that had been damaged or destroyed during invasions were restored through Ahilyabai Holkar’s efforts.

Yogi Adityanath further said Ahilyabai Holkar continues to be remembered with great respect whenever women’s empowerment and self-reliance are discussed. Describing her as an ideal example of women’s leadership and independence, he said her legacy had provided the inspiration for naming the free bus travel initiative after her.

–IANS

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