Uttar Pradesh to launch women's safety campaign during Navratri with cultural celebrations at temples

New Delhi: In Uttar Pradesh, an extensive campaign will be launched to promote the government policies which are meant for the safety of women, during the coming “Navratri festival” to be held from October 3 to 12. A series of cultural programmes will be organized at “Devi temples” as well as “Shaktipeeth” across the state during the Navratri festival.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has given instructions to the state’s culture department to immediately initiate preparation for the grand celebration of “Navratri festival” across the state.

The culture department will create awareness among the people about the Yogi government’s flagship scheme “Mission Shakti”. This scheme promotes safety, dignity, and empowerment of women and girls. The culture department is all set to prominently feature this “Mission Shakti” scheme throughout all the events to be organized during “Navratri” festival by it.

Mukesh Meshram, Principal Secretary of the state’s Culture Department, said, "During Shardiya Navratri, which will be held between October 3 to October 12, women and girls will actively participate in the programme to be organized at the Devi temples and Shaktipeeths. In addition, extensive awareness campaigns will be launched to promote government policies for women's safety."

According to him, on “Ashtami” and “Navami”, Ramayan Paath will be held at major “Shaktipeeth” temples to create awareness about social and national values. Like last year, district, tehsil, and block-level committees will be formed in each district to oversee the smooth execution of these events.

He further said all District Magistrates will form committees under their leadership and select local folk artistes, “Bhajan Mandalis”, and “Kirtan Mandalis” for the selected “Devi temples” and “Shaktipeeths” in their districts concerned. This exercise will be completed in coordination with the Culture department as well as the Information and Public Relations department.

All the programmes will be organized in accordance with “Mission Shakti” with participation of local people. The e-directory, provided by the Culture Department, can be helpful in the selection of local artists.

According to a press release, the culture department has directed all DMs to ensure proper arrangements like cleanliness, availability of drinking water, security measures, sound, lighting, and carpeting at the venues of cultural programmes to be organized during “Navratri festivals”. Besides, the government’s clear direction is that “No Objection Certificates” (NOCs) must be secured from the appropriate authorities for all the venues.

During the process for the selection of important “Devi temples” and “Shaktipeeths”, the culture department has asked all the district administrations to collect details such as address, photographs, GPS location of the venue, information about temple managers. The same information will be submitted to the culture department by the district administration concerned.