In a powerful convergence of social empowerment and sustainable development, the Government of Uttar Pradesh has launched two landmark initiatives aimed at transforming rural life, especially for women and farmers. On one hand, the “Driving My Dreams” campaign under Mission Shakti 5.0 is training rural girls and women in driving, while on the other, Chief Minister Mr. Yogi Adityanath is spearheading a state-wide movement to construct and rejuvenate check dams, ponds, and blast wells to address water scarcity.
Driving My Dreams: Empowering Women Behind the Wheel
Launched across the state on Friday to coincide with International Girl Child Week, the Women and Child Development Department has rolled out the “Driving My Dreams” program. This initiative will provide free driving training to 100 girls and women per district over the next month.
A Path to Independence and Livelihood
Participants, especially from rural areas and educational institutions, are receiving hands-on driving training from skilled instructors. Notably, the girls are also being educated on traffic rules and vehicle handling. Upon completion of the program, the women will be issued valid driving licenses, enabling both personal mobility and potential livelihood avenues such as delivery or transport services.
The initiative will culminate in a grand celebration on International Girl Child Day, October 11, to honor the progress made and inspire broader participation.
Yogi Adityanath’s Water Revolution: Mass Movement for Sustainability
In a high-level review meeting, Chief Minister Mr. Yogi Adityanath emphasized the urgency of combating the water crisis in Uttar Pradesh through decentralized and cost-effective solutions. Taking a leaf from the successful “Ek Pedh Maa Ke Naam” campaign, he proposed the construction and revival of check dams, ponds, and blast wells as a mass movement.
Key Achievements So Far:
- 6,448 check dams built, generating 128,960 hectares of additional irrigation
- Over 10,000 hectare meters of annual groundwater recharge
- 6,192 blast wells developed since 2017, creating 18,576 hectares of irrigation capacity
- 1,002 check dams repaired and de-silted since FY 2022–23
- 1,343 ponds (1–5 hectares) renovated to improve water storage and quality
The Chief Minister also stressed multi-purpose use of ponds: soil for pottery (extracted free between April 1–June 16), and fish farming and water chestnut cultivation post-monsoon—creating rural employment.
Mandating Rainwater Harvesting for a Water-Secure Future
In a decisive move, the Chief Minister directed that all buildings larger than 100 square meters must install rainwater harvesting systems. This will apply to both urban and rural structures, helping to stabilize groundwater levels and mitigate water stress.
Notable Groundwater Gains:
From 2017 to 2024:
- Over-exploited zones reduced from 82 to 50
- Critical zones reduced from 47 to 40
This significant progress is credited to a data-driven and community-based approach, and the CM expressed confidence in converting all these zones to the “normal” category in the coming years.
Accountability, Documentation, and Public Participation
To ensure transparency and scalability, Mr. Yogi Adityanath directed officials to conduct photographic documentation of all water infrastructure projects and to launch awareness campaigns through social media and local representatives.
The overarching goal is clear: turn water conservation into a public movement, just like tree plantation under “Ek Pedh Maa Ke Naam,” thereby giving a sustainable push to agriculture, fisheries, and the rural economy.
