Empowerment has a new address: the villages of Damoh district. Prime Minister Modi’s Ujjwala scheme has liberated rural women from the drudgery of firewood cooking, ushering in an era of health, time, and opportunity.
Take the story of Rani Ahirwar from Hatta tehsil. Blackened pots and teary eyes defined her mornings. Post-Ujjwala, her kitchen gleams with a shiny cylinder. ‘I save 3 hours daily, which I use for stitching blouses. Last month, I earned Rs 5,000,’ she recounts proudly.
The numbers are staggering: 22,000 households covered, 40% rise in female literacy pursuits, and a marked drop in hospital visits for smoke-related ailments. Environmentalists note reduced wood consumption preserves local forests.
What sets Damoh apart is innovative execution. Mobile refill vans navigate rugged terrains, while digital apps track distribution. Partnerships with local cooperatives ensure affordability. ‘Women are the real change agents here,’ affirms a state welfare official.
Beyond cylinders lies deeper transformation. Savings from cheaper cooking fuel fund education and nutrition. Families report better child health metrics. This scheme exemplifies how policy precision can uplift the marginalized.
As women light their stoves with ease, Damoh symbolizes India’s resolve. PM Modi’s promise has materialized, one clean flame at a time, lighting paths to prosperity.