The Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Giriraj Singh, chaired a significant National Conclave on September 6, 2023 focusing on the ambitious mission to enable 2 crore 'Lakhpati Didis' within India.
This initiative, part of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana- National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), aims to empower Self-Help Group (SHG) Didis to achieve a sustainable annual income of at least Rs one Lakh per household. The National Conclave provided a platform for key stakeholders to review and strategize the implementation of the 'Lakhpati Didi' initiative, which was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Independence Day address on August 15, 2023.
Prime Minister Modi stated that today, 10 crore rural women are part of the Self-Help Groups, and when you go to a village, you will find 'bank-wali didi,’ ‘Anganwadi didi,’ and ‘dawai-wali (medicine) didi.’ He expressed his dream of making two crore lakhpati didis in the villages.
In his address to the participants, Minister Giriraj Singh expressed the mission's dedication to realizing the Prime Minister's vision through hard work and a multi-pronged approach within a specified timeframe. He emphasized the importance of adopting a Whole of Government approach, leveraging convergence for maximum impact, and transforming the rural economy by enabling 'Lakhpati Didis.' He also highlighted that DAY-NRLM is the world's largest initiative aimed at improving the livelihoods of the poor.
Minister of State for Rural Development and Steel, Faggan Singh Kulaste, who joined the event online from Bhopal, underlined that 'Lakhpati Didis,' as envisioned by the Prime Minister, would be pivotal in driving the rural economy and fostering progress during the Amrit Kaal (Golden Era).
Welcoming the participants, Secretary of the Ministry of Rural Development, Shailesh Kumar Singh, expressed gratitude to the Minister for his guidance and support in advancing the 'Lakhpati Didi' initiative. To empower women economically, the mission initiated the 'Lakhpati Didi' program, encouraging SHG households to engage in multiple livelihood activities and value chain interventions, ultimately leading to sustainable annual incomes of one lakh rupees or more.
Setting the context for the initiative, Additional Secretary of Rural Livelihoods and Mission Director, DAY-NRLM, Charanjit Singh, elaborated on the scope of the 'Lakhpati Didi' initiative and the mission's strategic roadmap. He emphasized that the mission adopts a 'Whole of Society' approach by strengthening collaboration and partnerships with government entities, private sector organizations, multilateral agencies, civil society organizations (CSOs), and technical institutions to provide comprehensive support to SHG households, enhancing their income levels.
The participants at the conclave included various partners and support organizations from both the government and development sectors, along with 'Lakhpati SHG Didis' and those aspiring to join the 'Lakhpati Didi Club.' State Rural Livelihoods Missions from across India actively participated in the event, with over 1 crore SHG Didis joining the conclave via webcast.
