India progressing towards 3 crore Lakhpati Didis: Shivraj Singh Chouhan
New Delhi, Jan 25
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday said that India is progressing from over 2 crore towards 3 crore Lakhpati Didis, as he felicitated over 400 Lakhpati Didis, PMAY-G beneficiaries and SHG leaders in recognition of their leadership and contribution towards strengthening rural livelihoods, community institutions and inclusive development in pursuit of the vision of Viksit Bharat at 2047.
Delivering the keynote address at an event, Chouhan reaffirmed that Republic Day is a celebration of the people and the inspiring journeys of Lakhpati Didis from Self Help Groups.
He welcomed SHG women from across the country and appreciated their confidence, leadership and efforts in empowering other women.
Highlighting that a prosperous nation is built on prosperous women, he underscored the transformative role of DAY-NRLM in enabling access to credit, livelihoods and collective empowerment.
The minister emphasised gender equality, social change and the need to challenge discriminatory norms, citing initiatives such as "Ladli Lakshmi Yojana" and "Beti Bachao Beti Padhao".
He also encouraged SHG networks to strengthen last-mile delivery of government schemes, expand livelihoods, promote organic farming and market linkages.
Chouhan said that focused efforts will be made to enable individuals to access individual bank linkages, promoting entrepreneurship and self-reliance.
He encouraged broader social and political transformation, urging women of SHGs to step forward and strengthen their participation in grassroots political leadership.
Reaffirming that women are equal partners in nation-building, he called for collective efforts towards women-led rural development and led a pledge to work towards social transformation.
Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications, stated that women play a pivotal role in nation-building and that women's empowerment is a national priority.
He emphasised that women today are not only beneficiaries but key contributors to the economy, with one in four MSMEs being women-led.
The minister also underscored the role of DAY-NRLM in creating market linkages, including through popular e-commerce platforms and highlighted that rural women are increasingly participating in value chains and using digital tools to connect with markets.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Good to see the focus on rural women's economic empowerment. However, the real test is whether these schemes reach the most remote villages and the most marginalized women. Hope the last-mile delivery is as strong as the speeches.
As someone working in the development sector, the shift from women as beneficiaries to key economic contributors is crucial. The e-commerce platform linkage is a game-changer for rural artisans. Hope the digital literacy training keeps pace.
From 2 crore to 3 crore Lakhpati Didis is a massive leap. This is nation-building in the truest sense. When women prosper, the whole family and community prospers. Jai Hind!
Encouraging SHG women to step into political leadership is the key point for me. Gram Panchayats need their perspective. True change will come when they have a say in how funds are allocated and policies are made at the village level.
The focus on organic farming and market linkages is excellent. India's rural economy has huge potential. If women can get fair prices for their produce directly, it will transform agricultural communities. Hope the implementation is smooth.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.