20-year-old Shrishti Goswami from Haridwar is a one-day chief minister of Uttarakhand, marking the national girl child day on January 24, in a rare instance. Goswami, while symbolically holding the position of the state's head for one day, will review various ongoing government-run development programmes. For the first time in the history of Uttarakhand, a girl will become the state’s chief minister, even if it is symbolic and just for a day. Goswami, a student of B. Sc agriculture at a Roorkee-based institution, was chosen for the honour after she was elected chief minister in a mock ‘Bal Vidhan Sabha’ (Children’s State Assembly) in a symbolic event organised by the state commission, in the year 2018, for protection of child rights and to help the children understand the democratic system.
A resident of Daulatpur village, Goswami’s symbolic ascension to the CM’s post for a day on January 24, has received a nod from the incumbent chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat. “I wholeheartedly thank CM Trivendra Singh Rawat for allowing me to become CM of Uttarakhand for one day. On January 24, the National Girl Child Day, officials from various departments will make five-minute-long presentations before me. I will give them suggestions, particularly on the issues related to girl-child safety,” said Goswami. Goswami idolises Mother Teresa and Haridwar-based team India hockey player Vandana Kataria. She said she would also want to give her inputs to the government on the agriculture sector, which supports the livelihood of more than 65% of the state’s population. Usha Negi, chairperson of the child rights body said,
"Goswami, who participated in the children’s assembly, was elected its chief minister by members of the mock House for three years. Hence, to mark the occasion of girl child day on January 24, she will hold the real CM’s office for one day." "It will be held from 12 noon till 3 pm, during which, officials of at least 12 departments including PWD, education, women and child development, tourism and others will give a presentation before Goswami, who will also review the various development programmes of the state," she said. Both Goswami and her parents-- father Pravin Goswami, a trader and mother Sudha Goswami, a housewife-- have expressed happiness and gratitude on the honour and said it will send the message that girls are no less than boys and can achieve anything they want.