Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan marked the occasion of ‘Bhai Dooj’ by celebrating with his beloved sisters, also known as his ‘Ladli Behnas,’ at the Chief Minister’s residence in Bhopal on Wednesday.
During the celebration, the Chief Minister received a traditional tilak from his Ladli Behnas, and he extended heartfelt greetings and best wishes to all the women present. Adding a touch of joy to the festivities, Shivraj joined in singing songs with his sisters and even shared a few dance steps on this special occasion.
Expressing his sentiments, Chief Minister Shivraj stated, “I extend my warm wishes for a very happy Bhai Dooj to all my sisters. I am committed to ensuring the happiness and prosperity of my sisters. Initiatives such as Ladli Lakshmi Yojana, providing 35% reservation for women in all jobs (except the forest department) and 50% reservation in teaching positions, have already been implemented. Currently, under the Ladli Bahna Yojana, Rs 1250 is deposited in the accounts of women, and this amount will soon increase to Rs 3,000.”
Highlighting future plans, he continued, “Following Ladli Bahna Yojana, we will introduce Ladli Lakhpati Yojana. The goal is to ensure that each of my sisters earns at least Rs 10,000 every month, in addition to managing household responsibilities. Presently, the state has 15 lakh Lakhpati Behnas through self-help groups, and we aim to make every sister a millionaire (Lakhpati) through this scheme.”
Bhai Dooj, a festival symbolizing the love and bond between brothers and sisters, is celebrated with sisters praying for the long and happy lives of their brothers by applying a ‘Tika’ on their foreheads. The day is further marked by the exchange of gifts and sweets, reinforcing the strong bond between siblings.
Known by different names in various parts of India, Bhai Dooj is referred to as Bhau Bij and Bhai Beej in North India, while in Maharashtra, it is celebrated as Bhai Tika. In Bengal, the festival is known as Bhai Phonta.
