Dehradun, Oct. 12 -- Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday said the education and safety of daughters were among the state government's top priorities, asserting that 'Kanya Pujan' (worshipping girls on sacred occasions) would have meaning only when girls were given respect, safety and equal opportunities to progress. Speaking at the Girl Child Education Promotion Programme in Dehradun on the International Day of the Girl Child, Dhami honoured 149 meritorious girls who excelled in the Uttarakhand Board High School and Intermediate examinations by presenting them with smartphones. He congratulated them and wished them a bright future. Dhami said the International Day of the Girl Child, coinciding with the first day of Sharadiya Navratri, was special. "In Indian culture, young girls have been worshipped for centuries as embodiments of Shakti, or divine feminine power", he said. "The true significance of Kanya Pujan lies in providing daughters with respect, safety, education and equal opportunities to move forward". "Daughters are not merely a source of happiness for families but also the strength of society and the cornerstone of the nation's bright future", he added. Dhami said several initiatives had been undertaken under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to empower women and girls, including Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam and Lakhpati Didi. He said the state government is also providing support to daughters at every stage, from birth and education to skill development and employment. He said women have been provided 30% horizontal reservation in government jobs in the state. Under the Nanda Gaura Yojana, financial assistance of Rs.11,000 is being provided upon the birth of a daughter and Rs.51,000 after she passes Class 12. More than 400,000 daughters have benefited from the scheme so far, he said. Through the Mukhyamantri Mahalaxmi Yojana, attention was being given to the health and nutrition of mothers and newborns, while financial assistance was being provided to children living in difficult circumstances under the Mukhyamantri Vatsalya Yojana, Dhami said. He said the government is working to ensure that no daughter is deprived of education because of financial constraints. Free textbooks are being provided to students of Classes 1 to 12 in government and government-aided schools. Schemes such as the Mukhyamantri Medhavi Chhatra Protsahan Yojana, Mukhyamantri Uchcha Shiksha Protsahan Chhatravritti Yojana and Gargi Sanskrit Balika Chhatravritti Yojana are also encouraging students, while free bicycles and women's hostels are promoting girls' education, he said. Dhami stressed the importance of digital education and modern technology, saying the objective of providing smartphones to meritorious girls under the Balika Shiksha Protsahan Karyakram was to connect them with technology and create opportunities for knowledge and skill development. Dhami said the safety of daughters, alongside their education, remains a top priority for the state government. The government is committed to preventing child marriage and other social evils, he said. Five per cent horizontal reservation in state services has been provided for orphaned children, while support persons have been appointed in every district to provide legal aid and mental health care to children who were victims of Pocso-related offences. "Every daughter should have the opportunity to receive an education in a fear-free environment and move forward with self-confidence," he said....