On March 08, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in an inspiring conversation with the Lakhpati Didis in Navsari, Gujarat, as part of the Women’s Day celebrations. Emphasizing India's deep-rooted respect for women, he highlighted the cultural ethos of ‘Matru Devo Bhava,’ stating that every day in India is a tribute to motherhood and womanhood.
During the interaction, one of the Lakhpati Didis shared her experience of working with the Shivani Mahila Mandal, where they specialize in beadwork, a traditional craft of Saurashtra. She proudly mentioned that their collective has trained over 400 women, with many others managing marketing and accounting.
Responding to Modi’s inquiry about market reach, she confirmed that their marketing team had expanded their business to major cities across India. She also spoke about Parul Behen, another Lakhpati Didi, who has achieved remarkable financial success, earning over Rs 40,000 per month. The Prime Minister expressed his vision of empowering three crore Lakhpati Didis, with an ambitious belief that the number could even rise to five crores.
Another inspiring story came from a woman who, along with 65 other women, has ventured into the production of syrup made from sugar candy. Their enterprise has now reached an impressive annual turnover of Rs 25 to Rs 30 lakh.
She credited government initiatives for providing them with a platform that enables them to support vulnerable women and educate their children. She also revealed that their marketing efforts have expanded significantly, with the acquisition of vehicles for transportation.
Modi recalled his past visits to such stalls, emphasizing that he had interacted with them long before his tenure as Prime Minister, purely out of admiration for their efforts.
One of the participants expressed her determination to become a crorepati in the coming years through relentless hard work, thanking Modi for showing them the path to success. Another remarkable story came from a Drone Didi who earns approximately Rs 2 lakh. She shared her journey of becoming a drone pilot, despite not knowing how to ride a bicycle, and how her training in Pune has changed her life. She expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for the opportunity, to which he responded by acknowledging the growing identity of Drone Didis in rural India.
Modi also spoke with a Bank Sakhi, who facilitates financial transactions worth Rs 4 to Rs 5 lakh per month. Another participant voiced her commitment to empowering more women to become Lakhpati Didis like herself. Encouraging them further, Modi stressed the need to integrate into online business models, assuring them of government support to enhance their initiatives.
He highlighted the growing financial strength of rural women, emphasizing their ability to adapt to technology quickly. Highlighting the rapid learning curve of the Drone Didis, he expressed his admiration for their resilience and capability.
He highlighted how rural women are emerging as a formidable economic force and how their adaptability to technology is transforming India's financial landscape. He praised their resilience, creativity, and ability to generate wealth, asserting that their contributions will play a significant role in strengthening the nation’s economy.
