CM Yogi Adityanath offers prayers at Kaal Bhairav and Kashi Vishwanath temples in Varanasi (Img: @myogiadithyanath)
Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday highlighted the importance of women’s empowerment, girls’ education and maternal health during Navratri, describing Maa Skandamata as the presiding deity of affection, motherly love and nourishment.
He said the worship of Maa Skandamata conveys an important message: a healthy, educated and empowered woman is essential to ensuring a secure present and a brighter future for the nation.
In a post on X, the Chief Minister alleged that before 2017, previous governments focused on nurturing their political interests instead of supporting daughters and improving maternal healthcare.
वात्सल्य, ममता और पोषण की अधिष्ठात्री देवी माँ स्कन्दमाता की आराधना हमें यह पावन संदेश देती है कि जब नारीशक्ति स्वस्थ, शिक्षित और समर्थ होती है, तभी राष्ट्र का वर्तमान सुरक्षित और भविष्य उज्ज्वल होता है।
वर्ष 2017 से पहले बेटियों को संबल देने के बजाय पूर्ववर्ती सरकारें केवल अपने राजनीतिक कुनबे को पोषित करने में व्यस्त थीं।
प्रदेश में माताओं का स्वास्थ्य और बेटियों की शिक्षा घोर उपेक्षा एवं भ्रष्टाचार की भेंट चढ़ गई थी। अस्पतालों की बदहाली, दवाओं का अभाव और संस्थागत प्रसव की लचर व्यवस्था के कारण मातृ-शिशु मृत्यु दर चिंताजनक स्थिति में थी।
विगत साढ़े 9 वर्षों में डबल इंजन सरकार ने इस स्थिति को बदलने का काम किया है।
— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) October 15, 2026
He claimed that the health of mothers and the education of girls in Uttar Pradesh suffered due to neglect and corruption. Poor hospital conditions, shortages of medicines and inadequate institutional delivery facilities had also contributed to serious maternal and infant health concerns, he said.
Yogi Adityanath said the BJP-led double-engine government had worked to transform the situation over the past nine and a half years. According to him, the government has developed a comprehensive welfare framework covering girls’ birth, education and safe motherhood.
He added that a lack of basic facilities had earlier forced many girls to discontinue their education, while government initiatives have sought to improve school infrastructure and expand access to education.
Highlighting the changes since 2017, the Chief Minister said the coverage of basic facilities in primary schools under Operation Kayakalp had increased from 36 per cent to more than 96 per cent.
He also claimed that the school dropout rate had fallen from 20 per cent to below 3 per cent.
The CM said Atal Residential Schools were providing modern residential education to children from workers’ families and disadvantaged communities. He also highlighted the expansion of educational facilities up to Class 12 in Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas, which he said was creating more opportunities for girls to complete their education.
Concluding his message, Yogi Adityanath said investment in girls’ education strengthens their confidence and contributes to the state’s long-term development.
He emphasised that ensuring access to education, healthcare and welfare support for women and girls is essential for building a stronger society and a brighter future for Uttar Pradesh.
