Union Minister for Rural Development, and Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan met ‘Lakhpati Didis’ and farmers from Madhya Pradesh, who had visited Delhi to attend the Independence Day Ceremony as special guests held at the News Delhi residence of Shivraj Singh Chouhan. He interacted with farmers and administered a pledge to the farmers to adopt the Swadeshi (indigenous) movement as per the call of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. Union Minister said that if we buy goods in our own states and country, we will generate employment for millions of people in India and boosting the economy of the nation.
Addressing the special guests the ‘Lakhpati Didis’, the Union Minister said that “Your visit to my residence is a moment of great joy for me. The sole aim of my life is that every sister in the country should be free from poverty, become a Lakhpati (earning over one lakh rupees annually), become self-reliant and empowered, and play a role in the nation’s progress.”
The Lakhpati Didi scheme
For the unversed, the Lakhpati Didi scheme, also known as the Lakhpati Didi Yojana, is an innovative initiative by the Ministry of Rural Development that aims to empower women in Self-Help Group (SHG) to earn a sustainable income on Rs. 1 Lakh or more. The scheme aims at encouraging women to take up diversified livelihood activities and become successful entrepreneurs. The scheme aligns with the broader vision of Atma Nirbhar Bharat.
Union Minister Recalled Ladli Behna Yojana
During his interaction with women entrepreneurs at his residence, Shivraj Singh Chouhan recalled that during his tenure as Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh he tried to uplift the lives of daughters through the ‘Ladli Behna Yojana’. Now, as a Union Minister, his effort is to ensure the greater welfare of Lakhpati Didi.
The union minister also said that the Lakhpati Didis are the pride of the nation and the true agents of rural transformation. The Didis from various districts and regions of Madhya Pradesh enthusiastically shared their experiences and expressed gratitude towards the Union Minister for the changes brought in their lives through the National Rural Livelihood Mission.