Devbhoomi Maa Gange Charitable Trust Holds 6th Annual Celebration at Rishikesh; Women’s Empowerment, Culture Take Centre Stage

Rishikesh, Uttarakhand: The Devbhoomi Maa Gange Charitable Trust celebrated its 6th Annual Celebration with considerable grandeur at the 14-Bigha Ramlila Ground, marking five years of work in the areas of women’s empowerment and cultural preservation. The event was organised around the theme “The Heritage of Devbhoomi: The Daughters of the Mountains.”
Uttarakhand’s Minister of Forests and Health, Subodh Uniyal, presided over the occasion as Chief Guest. Other dignitaries in attendance included State Minister for Apiculture Girish Dobhal, Uttar Pradesh Tourism Minister Ashok Kumar Yadav, and Subhash Badthwal, Vice President of the Rajya Andolankari Samman Manch. A large number of social, political, and cultural figures from the region were also present.
The event featured competitions and displays encompassing Mehendi art, painting, Rangoli, dance, Kirtan group performances, yoga, and a fashion show — all held under the sub-theme “Our Culture, Our Identity.” Women’s self-help groups showcased self-produced organic mountain products, while the Bhartiya Gramothan Sansthan of Dhalwala presented an exhibition of handloom textiles and silk goods.
Cultural performances were delivered by artists from Voice of Uttarakhand — including Lekhraj Bhandari, Rathore, and Bhatnagar — along with folk singers Padam Gussain and the team led by Dhoom Singh Rawat, whose renditions of Uttarakhand’s folk music drew enthusiastic response from the audience.
Speaking at the event, Trust Treasurer Yogesh Uniyal underscored the role of Matrishakti — women’s collective strength — in sustaining the region’s cultural and culinary heritage. Invited guests urged the Trust to expand its outreach and develop action plans to engage a wider cross-section of women in its programmes.
The programme was anchored by Suryachandra Singh Chauhan, Deepa Bhatt, Urmila Mamgai, Anshul Joshi, and others. Trust Founder President Reena Uniyal and Secretary Amita Uniyal welcomed guests with traditional Angavastra, mementos, and floral garlands.
Among the prominent attendees were Ruchi Bhatt (State President, BJP Women’s Wing), Suryachandra Singh Chauhan (President, Muni Ki Reti Press Club), Sanjay Badola (General Secretary, Press Club), Shailesh Semwal, Sunil Bhagat, Ajay Bijalwan, and Trust members including Mamta Negi, Babita Saklani, Anita Tiwari, Lakshmi Semwal, Sonia Raj, Usha Joshi, and Rekha Chaubey, among others.