Chandigarh, June 14 (IANS) Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Sunday said that the greatness of any society is not measured by its economic prosperity, but by how it treats its weak, helpless and underprivileged sections.

“A society that cares for its deprived and needy citizens is truly progressive and compassionate,” he stated.

The Chief Minister was addressing the 346th Masik Vidhwa Rashan Evam Sahayata Vitran Samaroh held in Ludhiana, Punjab.

He announced a grant of Rs 11 lakh for the Gyan Sthal Mandir Sewa Society.

Paying tributes to martyr Lala Jagat Narayan, the Chief Minister said he dedicated his entire life to patriotism, social harmony, and service to humanity. He made the supreme sacrifice to safeguard the unity and integrity of the nation. He added that the legacy of service, dedication, and commitment to national interest exemplified by Lala Jagat Narayan is being carried forward today by the Gyan Sthal Mandir Sewa Society and the Lala Jagat Narayan Nishkam Sewa Samiti.

The Chief Minister said the service initiative started in 1997 by the late Jagdish Bajaj has now evolved into a large-scale public welfare movement. Providing assistance continuously for 346 months to widowed mothers and sisters in need is a remarkable achievement.

He also appreciated the dispatch of the 64th relief truck carrying aid for families affected by terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. He said the organisation has distributed rations to more than 1.65 lakh needy widow families so far. Even during the challenging period of the COVID-19 pandemic, volunteers of the organisation delivered assistance door-to-door to needy families.

In addition, the society has provided tricycles to 385 people with disabilities, distributed sewing machines to more than 1.15 lakh women, and imparted computer education to over 25,000 children, helping shape a brighter future for them.

The Chief Minister said the organisation’s efforts go beyond the distribution of assistance. It is continuously working to make women and youth self-reliant. Its initiatives promoting skill development and self-employment are becoming a catalyst for positive social transformation.

CM Saini said the Haryana Government is implementing several welfare schemes for the social, economic, and educational empowerment of mothers, sisters and daughters. Widow women in the state are being provided a monthly pension of Rs 3,200. Under the Deendayal Lado Lakshmi Yojana, eligible women receive financial assistance of Rs 2,100 per month, while under the Har Ghar-Har Grihini Yojana, LPG cylinders are being made available at Rs 500.

He said the women are being economically and socially empowered through various initiatives such as the Mukhyamantri Vivah Shagun Yojana, the Lakhpati Didi Campaign, strengthening of Self-Help Groups, and schemes related to women’s safety and education.

Additionally, 81 new colleges have been established in the state, including 31 colleges exclusively for girls. The state government is also providing free education to girls up to the postgraduate level to enable them to become self-reliant through education.

–IANS

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