Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday participated in the Sashakt Nari-Viksit Bharat programme in the national capital where he showcased a host of women-centric schemes implemented by his government. The PM said that only a society that enhances women’s standing and creates opportunities for them can truly advance.
Speaking at the event, Modi exuded confidence of securing another term in power in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. He stated that his third term would write a new chapter in the rise of women’s power.
Taking a swipe at previous governments, Modi underscored that the lives and hardships of women were not prioritised in the past. He pointed to the BJP government’s initiatives aimed at assisting women at every stage of life, distinguishing his leadership as the first PM to address critical issues such as the lack of toilets, sanitary pad usage, and the adverse effects of smoke-causing kitchen fuels like wood and coal.
He referred to his Independence day speeches delivered from the Red Fort, noting that political parties like the Congress mocked and insulted him for bringing attention to these matters.
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Drawing from personal experiences in his home, neighbourhood, and villages during travels, Modi highlighted how these encounters shaped his sensitivities and inspired schemes aimed at benefiting women. He revealed that over Rs 8 lakh crore has been disbursed among women through various government schemes, resulting in more than 1 crore women becoming ‘Lakhpati Didis.’
The Prime Minister emphasised that his experiences have shown that a little support to women can enable them to extend assistance to others. He slammed politicians who solely focused on their families, asserting their inability to comprehend this perspective.
During the program, Modi disbursed approximately Rs 8,000 crore as bank loans to self-help groups (SHGs). Interacting with women beneficiaries nationwide, he inquired about their work and commended their dedication.
PM Modi also honoured ‘Lakhpati Didis’ who achieved success with the support of the ‘Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission,’ contributing to the upliftment of other self-help group members.
Furthermore, he distributed drones to 1,000 ‘Namo Drone Didis,’ selected to operate drones for agricultural purposes. Additionally, about Rs 2,000 crore capitalisation support fund was disbursed to SHGs.
The ‘Namo Drone Didi’ and ‘Lakhpati Didi’ initiatives align with the prime minister’s vision of fostering economic empowerment and financial autonomy among women, particularly in rural areas, as stated by the Prime Minister’s Office in a previous statement.