Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Smt. Raksha Khadse, today visited the Growth Centre and stalls of the Pragati Women Self-Help Group under the Chhattis Kala brand in Jagdalpur, where she reviewed a range of local products and interacted with women entrepreneurs associated with self-help groups.
The visit highlighted the significant strides being made in Chhattisgarh towards women’s economic empowerment and community-led development. Smt. Khadse noted that self-help groups are playing a transformative role in enabling women to become financially independent while also emerging as catalysts of social change across rural areas.
Referring to the State’s women-centric initiatives, she observed that schemes such as the Mahtari Vandan Yojana are providing vital financial support to women, while complementary efforts including product sales through e-commerce platforms, preparation of ready-to-eat food products, and the Lakhpati Didi Yojana are creating sustainable livelihood opportunities and expanding market access.
The Minister underlined that these interventions are contributing not only to income generation but also to nutrition security, employment creation, and the strengthening of the rural economy. She described the ongoing efforts as a strong step towards building an Atmanirbhar Bharat under the leadership of Nari Shakti.
During her visit to Chilkuti village in Bastar district, Smt. Khadse also took stock of the region’s rich artistic traditions and cultural heritage. A key highlight of the visit was her close observation of the traditional lost-wax technique (Dhokra craft), an iconic form of tribal metal art that reflects the unique identity and craftsmanship of Bastar’s artisan communities.
Emphasising the importance of preserving such traditions, she noted that the craft represents far more than an artistic practice, it embodies a living cultural memory and the enduring legacy of local tribal artisans. The visit also underscored the close link between cultural preservation and livelihood generation, with traditional crafts continuing to provide sustainable economic opportunities to local communities.
Smt. Khadse interacted with women entrepreneurs and artisans during the programme, appreciated their contribution, and encouraged them to continue scaling their initiatives. Present on the occasion were Shri Akash Chhikara, IAS, District Collector; Shri Shalabh Sinha, IPS, Superintendent of Police; Shri Prateek Jain, IAS, Chief Executive Officer, Zila Panchayat; and Shri Gagan Sharma, SDM, Bastar.
The transformation underway in Chhattisgarh through women-led self-help groups and traditional tribal crafts is emerging as a compelling model of women empowerment, rural development, and inclusive economic growth.