Chandigarh, May 22 – Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, urged the Pal Gadaria community to prioritize their children’s education, emphasizing that knowledge is the most powerful weapon to break all barriers.
The Chief Minister was addressing members of the Pal Gadaria community on late Wednesday evening in Chandigarh while launching a public awareness campaign marking the 300th birth anniversary of Mateshwari Ahilyabai.
Paying floral tribute to the portrait of Ahilyabai, the Chief Minister said that the awareness campaign will continue until May 31, culminating in a grand celebration in Kurukshetra on the same day.
He said that the Pal Gadaria community is a living representation of India’s great traditions, culture, and hardworking spirit. This community has been the backbone of India’s rural economy for generations. Their heritage is proud and glorious. The community traces its lineage to the Holkar dynasty, which ruled Indore in Madhya Pradesh for a long time. The community has produced valiant figures such as warrior Malhar Rao Holkar and the revered Mateshwari Ahilyabai, said Sh. Nayab Singh Saini.
The Chief Minister further said that when we speak of a ‘Atamnirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India), the role of hardworking communities like the Pal Gadaria becomes extremely significant. Even in adverse circumstances, they have demonstrated with their inner strength, and dedication that if India resides in every village, it certainly carries the fragrance of their hard work. He said that, unfortunately, many communities were deliberately neglected for decades after independence, with no policies or direction made for them.
Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that under the leadership of Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi, today’s India is a new India, guided by the mantra ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, and Sabka Prayas’. The government not only makes policies but also ensures their benefits reach the last person standing in line.
The Chief Minister said that just as Mateshwari Ahilyabai built temples and fought for the poor, Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi has also renovated many temples and initiated several schemes for the social and economic empowerment of Scheduled Castes. The Haryana Government recognized that some Scheduled Caste groups still did not benefit from reservation. To bring them into the mainstream, the government has implemented sub-categorization within the Scheduled Caste reservation, said Sh. Nayab Singh Saini.
The Chief Minister further said that within the 20 percent reservation quota for Scheduled Castes in direct recruitment in government services, half (10 percent) has now been reserved specifically for the Deprived Scheduled Castes. Additionally, the state government had previously provided 20 percent reservation to Scheduled Castes in Class I and II posts.
Informing about welfare schemes for poor families, the Chief Minister said that free food grains are being provided to 52 lakh BPL (Below Poverty Line) families in the state. Under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, around 15 lakh women from poor families have received free LPG gas connections. More than 15 lakh BPL and Antyodaya families in the state are being provided LPG cylinders at the subsidized rate of Rs. 500. Besides this, poor families are entitled to 1,000 kilometers of free travel annually through the Happy Card scheme, he said.
Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, homes are being built to provide shelter to every poor family. For home repairs, an amount of Rs. 80,000 is given under the Ambedkar Awas Navinikaran Yojana. The Ayushman Bharat-Chirayu scheme offers free medical treatment of up to Rs. 5 lakh per year for poor families. Under the Shagun scheme, an amount of up to Rs. 71,000 is given for the marriage of daughters from poor families. The DAYALU Yojana provides financial assistance of up to Rs.5 lakh to families with an annual income of up to Rs.1.80 lakh in case of death or disability of a member, he informed.
Expressing happiness at the progress of the Pal Gadaria community, the Chief Minister said that the community is now advancing in education, politics, sports, and entrepreneurship. Youth from this community are shining bright in every field like medicine, engineering, and administrative services, and daughters are also emerging as leaders through education. This, he said, is the true transformation and the essence of the new India.
He called for unity among the people and assured that the government will leave no stone unturned for the welfare, progress, and dignity of the Pal Gadaria community. Work hard, move forward — the government stands shoulder to shoulder with you, assured the Chief Minister.
Social Justice and Empowerment Minister, Sh. Krishan Kumar Bedi, also paid tribute to Mateshwari Ahilyabai, stating that she was a torchbearer of Sanatan Dharma. He added that the present government has upheld this flag high. He emphasized that the state government is working with the spirit of Antyodaya, ensuring that every poor person benefits.
Public Health Engineering Minister, Sh. Ranbir Gangwa, also offered floral tributes to Mateshwari Ahilyabai on this occasion.
OSDs to Chief Minister Sh. Bharat Bhushan Bharti and Sh. Vivek Kalia, BJP State President, Sh. Mohan Lal Kaushik, former Uttar Pradesh Minister Sh. Satish Pal, and several other dignitaries also remained present on the occasion.
