Union Minister for Rural Development, and Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, today tied handmade indigenous rakhis made by Self-Help Group (SHG) women in New Delhi and addressed SHG members (Didis) from across the country, encouraging them to adopt six important resolutions.
Administering these resolutions, the Minister urged all SHG Didis to actively promote these resolutions:
1. Promote indigenous products make and buy Swadeshi (locally made) items
2. Encourage women who are not yet part of SHGs to join the fold
3. Work hard to ensure that all SHG members become lakhpatis (earn at least ₹1 lakh annually)
4. Ensure that every child in the village attends school
5. Guarantee that no child suffers from malnutrition and all children get nutritious food
6. Launch anti-addiction campaigns in villages to eliminate substance abuse
The Union Minister emphasised that the government is consistently working toward women empowerment. He highlighted the key role of Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in empowering women and said that under his leadership, many schemes have been implemented to ensure stronger participation of women nationwide.
It was the Prime Minister’s vision that led to the launch of initiatives like ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’. Maternity benefits through the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana and clean cooking through the Ujjwala Yojana have also been promoted.
Legal provisions, such as reduced registration fees when a property is bought in a woman’s name, have further empowered women. The Pradhan Mantri Gramin Awas Yojana also includes provisions for co-ownership in the name of women to ensure their active participation.
He reiterated that the Prime Minister has made it clear that the nation comes first and no compromise will be made on the interests of the citizens. The interests of the SHG Didis will also be prioritised.
Shri Chouhan also mentioned the Ladli Laxmi Yojana in Madhya Pradesh as a step in this direction, linking financial assistance with education. He expressed happiness that about 55 lakh daughters have been registered under the scheme.
Praising the work of SHG Didis, the Minister said they are writing new stories of change with their talent. The National Rural Livelihoods Mission has transformed their lives into a movement. Over 10 crore women have joined 91 lakh SHGs, and ₹11 lakh crore has been disbursed to them as bank credit which is a major achievement.
Concluding his address, Shri Chouhan stated that the nation becomes stronger when women, families and societies are empowered. The government will continue to work with full commitment toward women’s empowerment.
Steps are also being taken to train and transform women into entrepreneurs. He expressed confidence that the target set by the Prime Minister to create 3 crore Lakhpati Didis will be achieved before schedule.
The event was attended by Secretary of the Ministry of Rural Development, Shri Shailesh Kumar Singh, and other senior officials, with participation from over 700 locations across the country via video conferencing.