New Delhi witnessed a momentous celebration on Sunday as Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced that India is charging towards the ambitious goal of creating over 2 crore Lakhpati Didis, self-reliant women earning lakhs through their enterprises. In a grand event aligned with the Republic Day spirit, Chouhan honored more than 400 such empowered women leaders from Self-Help Groups (SHGs), beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Grameen (PMAY-G), and rural livelihood champions.
Chouhan emphasized that Republic Day is not just a national festival but a tribute to the inspiring journeys of these Lakhpati Didis and SHG women who are transforming rural India. He welcomed representatives from across the country, praising their confidence, leadership, and relentless efforts in uplifting fellow women.
‘A prosperous nation is built on prosperous women,’ declared the minister, spotlighting the transformative role of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) in providing access to credit, livelihoods, and collective empowerment. Under this framework, rural women are breaking barriers, challenging gender biases, and driving social change.
Referencing flagship schemes like Ladli Laxmi Yojana and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Chouhan underscored the government’s commitment to gender equality. Today, women are not mere beneficiaries; they are key contributors to the economy, with one in every four small and medium enterprises (SMEs) led by women entrepreneurs.
The minister highlighted DAY-NRLM’s pivotal role in linking these women to markets via e-commerce platforms and digital tools. Rural Didis are increasingly integrating into value chains, leveraging technology to reach broader markets and scale their businesses. This momentum positions India on the cusp of achieving 3 crore Lakhpati Didis, fueling the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047.