Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said that festivals and traditions are important as they are a vital part of India’s heritage.
Speaking at the launch of Aakansha Haat 2024 at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan in Lucknow, the CM said that it will play a crucial role in preserving culture and inspiring the younger generation. “This initiative will empower women entrepreneurs across UP, offering them valuable skills, fresh ideas and opportunities to expand their businesses on a larger scale,” he said.
Encouraging women empowerment and local entrepreneurship, he said, “The event is an important step towards promoting women entrepreneurship in the state and providing a platform to self-help groups (SHGs) to showcase their creativity and products.”
Yogi said that Aakansha Haat 2024 is being organised with the efforts of Aakansha Samiti of UP which is active in all 75 districts of the state and is committed to making women self-reliant.
He praised the efforts of women entrepreneurs and self-help groups. “The Aakanksha Samiti’s initiative for the economic empowerment of women is commendable. This event will not only promote women entrepreneurship but also help local products gain recognition at national and international levels,” he said.
The Aakanksha Samiti, a developing body of the Indian Administrative Service Officers’ Wives Association (IASOWA) of UP, is dedicated to the welfare and empowerment of women in the state. The committee, working in all 75 districts of the state, aims to provide economic opportunities to women in self-employment and self-help groups.
Through Aakanksha Haat 2024, it offers women a platform to showcase their products, skills, and crafts, helping them strengthen their families and communities economically.
The CM said, “Products from various states of the country including Jammu and Kashmir are also being showcased through Akanksha Haat, which will provide an opportunity for cultural and economic exchange.”
He highlighted Akanksha Haat as a significant platform for the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme. He said that women’s self-help groups could enhance the quality, packaging and marketing of local products through ODOP.
Yogi said, “This event will not only empower local enterprises but will also help the products under ODOP gain recognition in both national and international markets.”
Emphasizing the importance of showcasing positive changes, he urged the media to focus on stories that promote women empowerment and entrepreneurship. “By highlighting these positive efforts, we can amplify the wave of change in society, encouraging more women to step forward,” he said.
The CM said that there was once a perception about UP that nothing could be accomplished here. “However, the success of the state’s International Trade Show in Noida and Greater Noida last year changed that narrative,” he said.
He highlighted that the second session of the trade show this year saw more than 5 lakh participants, with growing interest from people across the country. He expressed his belief that the Aakanksha Samiti could play a crucial role in furthering this positive momentum.
During Aakanksha Haat 2024, several women self-help groups and entrepreneurs were felicitated for their exceptional work. One such example was the Bundelkhand-based ‘Bellini Milk Producer Group’, which began in 2019 and now provides employment to 71,000 women.
Yogi praised their efforts and said that by promoting such initiatives, the state could progress towards self-reliance.
He expressed hope that Aakanksha Samiti’s efforts would continue to create new opportunities for women, leading them towards self-reliance and economic empowerment.
Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, Women Commission Chairperson Babita Singh Chauhan, Agriculture Production Commissioner Monica Garg, Aakanksha Committee Chairperson Dr Rashmi Singh and many other dignitaries were present on this occasion.
