At a vibrant gathering in the national capital on Sunday, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan shared an uplifting update: India is well on its way to empowering 3 crore Lakhpati Didis, having surpassed the 2 crore mark. Recognizing their pivotal role in realizing Viksit Bharat 2047, he awarded commendations to over 400 outstanding SHG leaders, PMAY-G recipients, and rural development pioneers.
Chouhan framed the Republic Day festivities as a collective celebration of these women’s triumphant paths from humble beginnings to financial independence. He extended a warm welcome to SHG delegates nationwide, applauding their leadership in community building and women’s upliftment.
The minister articulated a profound truth: ‘Empowered women forge prosperous nations.’ He credited DAY-NRLM for revolutionizing access to finance, sustainable livelihoods, and group dynamics that challenge outdated gender stereotypes.
Highlighting schemes such as Ladli Laxmi Yojana and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Chouhan stressed the need for sustained efforts in gender parity and social reform. Women-led SMEs now constitute a quarter of the sector, underscoring their economic clout.
Furthermore, Chouhan praised DAY-NRLM’s market linkage strategies, from e-commerce integrations to digital literacy programs. Rural women are actively participating in supply chains, using apps for sales and scaling operations, which promises accelerated growth towards the 3 crore target and beyond.