Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with 'Lakhpati Didis' from Jalgaon in Maharashtra and praised their entrepreneurial success and the quantum jump they have made toward economic independence and empowerment.
That video X published was about these women in Jalgaon who have availed many welfare-oriented schemes for females under the Modi government and how they shared their 'scaling new heights' stories with PM Modi.
These women, referred to as 'Lakhpati Didis' for their ability to earn over Rs 1 lakh every year, thanked PM Modi for the government schemes that enabled them to help their families and encouraged others in their communities.
One of the beneficiaries said, "We are very proud to be Lakhpati Didis. PM Modi is doing a lot for the betterment of women."
In a very touching moment, while the women were performing an 'Arti' for PM Modi, he asked to hold the Arti plate himself and completed the ritual.
He inquired from these women what makes some of them achieve the status of 'Lakhpati Didi' while others are yet to achieve the same. The women answered that it's the welfare schemes under which they have been made economically stand on their feet to become a contributor to their families.
A woman from Assam narrated an uplifting story of her five-year journey to become a 'Lakhpati Didi,' empowering 207 other women. "I now earn Rs 8 lakh per annum," she told the PM, who cheered, saying that she was an inspiration to all other women in Assam. She said, "Yes sir, I have moved from zero to hero."
One more woman from Nashik, Maharashtra, added that she was working with 10 women—a total of 11 ladies—in making sanitary napkins. In the face of the existing menstrual stigma, their activity has been throwing social taboos to the winds and furthering women's health.
For instance, a woman from Nahan, Himachal Pradesh, who said her transformation from a housewife to an entrepreneur gave her family tremendous pride: "My children feel extremely proud telling people that their mother went to Maharashtra to meet Modiji."
A lot of 'Lakhpati Didis' narrated their stories, ranging from being home-bound to becoming business and community leaders. Animal healthcare, helping the farmers, to name a few.
Sunday announced a revolving fund of Rs 2,500 crore for the benefit of 48 lakh members of 4.3 lakh SHGs besides releasing bank loans of Rs 5,000 crore to 25.8 lakh members of 2.35 lakh SHGs thus reiterating the commitment of his government toward women empowerment.
Since the implementation of the Lakhpati Didi Yojana, 1 crore women have achieved the 'Lakhpati Didi' status, against the target of 3 crore women to be elevated to this level.
The women attain not only financial independence but become role models in their community through sustainable practices these women adopt in farming, non-farming, or service sectors.
Lakhpati mobilizes collective action under the leadership of self-help groups for the purpose of mutual support. SHG, in turn, provides much-needed support toward financial literacy, development of skill, and livelihood. It requires strengthening SHG members from basic social and financial inclusion to successful entrepreneurship—these are the departments of the government, private sector partners, and the market participants.
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