Coming out in praise of women and hailing the determination and perseverance of the country’s ‘Nari Shakti’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the ‘Drone Didis’ and ‘Lakhpati Didis’ are scripting new chapters of success.
PM Modi on Monday handed over 1000 drones to 1,000 Namo Drone Didis across 10 locations in the country and disbursed bank loans to Self Help Groups (SHGs) under the Sashakt Nari-Viksit Bharat programme at an event organised at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute in the national capital.
Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Modi called the occasion ‘historic’, saying such inspiring success stories of women entrepreneurs from the far corners of the country fill him with confidence and conviction about where the nation is headed.
“Your success stories gave me the confidence to embark on this journey of making 3 crore lakhpati Didis,” he said.
He added that with just a bit of support and hand-holding, the country’s ‘Nari Shakti’ would soon evolve into a reliable support structure for others.
“A society can progress only when opportunities are created for women to break barriers and bring ‘Nari Shakti’ to the fore,” Prime Minister Modi said.
While linking the emergence of ‘Nari Shakti’ to the country’s economic empowerment, he stressed the impact of self-help groups in society, saying, “These groups have contributed significantly to the development of rural infrastructure and the general upliftment and well-being of people in the hinterland.”
Prime Minister Modi also acknowledged the roles and services of Bank Sakhi, Krishi Sakhi, Pashu Sakhi and Matasya Sakhi.
“Our Didis are giving new impetus to the country’s national campaigns, from health to Digital India. More than 50 per cent of those running the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan are women and more than 50 per cent of the beneficiaries are also women. These incredible success stories have only served to strengthen my faith in ‘Nari Shakti’,” he added.
He also called on the self-help groups to come forward in the implementation of the PM Suryaghar Muft Bijli Yojana.
He added that wherever members of self-help groups take up such initiatives and enlist their involvement in nation-building, they will be given priority in the scheme.
The Namo Drone Didi and Lakhpati Didi initiatives are integral to the Prime Minister’s vision of fostering economic empowerment and financial autonomy among women, especially in rural areas, according to an official release.
In line with this vision, Prime Minister Modi felicitated Lakhpati Didis, who found success with the support of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission and are supporting and motivating members of other self-help groups. (ANI)
