(THE NEWSMAN OF INDIA.COM)
Rishikesh, 20.07.2022: THDC India Limited has always been committed and proactive
towards the empowerment of women especially in vulnerable, rural and project-affected
areas. In this regard, THDCIL-Vishnugad-Pipalkoti Hydro Electric Project is running a program in Pipalkoti area of Chamoli district for widow women known as the Widow Assistance Program in order to make them self-reliant so that they can rise in social standing and can pass on the same into future generations. “इस बुढ़ापे में कम से कम बाहर जाकर काम नहीीं करना पड़ रहा जब से टीएचडीसी कम्पनी हमें पेंशन दे रही है |” (At least in this old age we don’t need to work outside now as THDC Company is providing us pension), said Smt. Shiva Devi, a resident of Pipalkoti area. While another beneficiary of the scheme Smt. Savitri Devi, resident of village Dasawana, Chamoli district stated that this financial assistance in the form of Widow pension is manifesting as a silver lining in the dark clouds as she stays alone at Panchayat Bhawan of village Dasawana because she has been casted-aside from home by her own sons.

There are 24 widow women who are getting benefited under this scheme and are getting Rs. 1500/- per month as financial support from VPHEP-THDCIL while the pension of 9 beneficiaries is in process. Since the women are availing the benefits of this widow pension scheme,they don’t need to go outside and work along with that they have also become financially independent. THDCIL believes that “Healthy educated and empowered women and girls are the agents of
change”. When women are supported, they gain confidence and get the opportunity to speak and advocate for their rights and become financially independent. Therefore, this financial assistance by THDCIL has proved as a boon for the widow women. Today, THDCIL is one of the premier power generators in the country with installed capacity of 1587 MW with commissioning of Tehri Dam & HPP (1000MW), Koteshwar HEP (400MW) in Uttarakhand, Wind Power Projects of 50MW at Patan & 63MW at Dwarka in Gujarat, 24MW Dhukwan Small Hydro Project, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh and 50 MW Solar Power Project at Kasaragod, Kerala to its credit.