On Sunday, August 23, 2026, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami celebrated Rakshabandhan with the women of the state at a grand event held at Chaudhary Farm House (GMS Road) and Survey Stadium in Hathi Barkala, Dehradun, the state capital. He first participated in the Rakshabandhan celebrations at Chaudhary Farm, followed by a program at Survey Stadium, where a large number of women tied Rakhis to him and wished him health and long life.
CM Dhami also gave the women of the state the significant gift of free travel on roadways buses for two days. On the auspicious occasion of Rakshabandhan, travel on Uttarakhand Transport Limited (Roadways) buses will be completely free for women of the state on August 28 and 29, 2026.
On this occasion, CM Dhami described himself as “not a Chief Minister, but a brother,” saying, “I have come here today not as the Chief Minister, but as a brother to all of you.” He reiterated the government’s commitment to the respect, safety, and welfare of the state’s women and assured them of self-reliance. He also said that being among the women made him feel like a brother returning to his family. He stated that the love and trust he receives from the women of the state is his greatest strength and continues to inspire him to work tirelessly to serve every citizen of Uttarakhand.
रक्षा बंधन के पावन पर्व पर बहनों से मिले इस असीम स्नेह से मन अभिभूत है। इस विश्वास की डोर को सदैव मजबूत बनाए रखना हमारा संकल्प है। pic.twitter.com/cOWEMs31qz
— Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) August 23, 2026
The Chief Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, historic steps have been taken to protect, honor, and empower women in the country. The Prime Minister has integrated the spirit of “Nari Tu Narayan” into the government’s policies and work culture. Work has been done to free women from smoke through the Ujjwala Yojana, to provide tap water to every household through the Jal Jeevan Mission, to connect women with home ownership through the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, and to empower women economically through the Lakhpati Didi Abhiyan.
The Chief Minister said that the women’s reservation, construction of toilets and decisive action against the evil practice of triple talaq are also important efforts towards the dignity and rights of women. The respect and welfare of women is paramount in the policies of the Central Government.