Vice-President Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan addressed the ‘Lakhpati Didi Sammelan’ in Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh, praising the initiative as an exemplary model of women-led development and grassroots democracy. He termed it a manifestation of India’s strength and determination supported by its women, reflecting not just income but independence, dignity and confidence.
The Vice President praised the success of thousands of women-led self-help groups across India, highlighting the transformative power of hard work, discipline, and solidarity that bind them. He invoked Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi‘s vision to create 339,000 USD Lakhpati Didis. The movement so far has empowered well over 20 million women across the country and 5650 USD in Chhattisgarh to gain financial independence.
In Chhattisgarh, he appreciated the initiative of the state and district administration, saying that more than 100,000 women have been connected through 9,663 self-help groups, facilitated over 79.10 million USD of financial assistance and were empowered through the direct transfer of over 1.47 billion USD under the Mahila Samman Yojana.
Shri Radhakrishnan underlined that democracy lives in Gram Sabhas and self-help groups, where the Lakhpati Didi movement strengthens its roots through participation and local empowerment. He drew a stimulating correlation between women’s social development and the recent World Cup success of the Indian women’s cricket team, praising their bravery.
While recalling the state’s progress, he lauded the efforts to eliminate the Naxal problem, attributing it to the collaborative vision of the central and state leadership.
Apart from the Sammelan, the Vice-President inaugurated a new facility at Udayachal Health and Research Institute and appreciated its role in making Chhattisgarh cataract-free. He spoke of national initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat that aim to ensure a transformation in health access. Earlier, he watched the breathtaking air show by the Indian Air Force’s Suryakiran Aerobatic Team as part of Chhattisgarh Rajat Mahotsav, marking the 25th anniversary of the state.
