President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday, 15 October 2026, declared that rural women across India have transformed from passive recipients of government schemes into active wealth creators and drivers of national development. Speaking at the inauguration of the National SARAS Mela in Vijayawada, organised jointly by the Union Ministry of Rural Development and the Government of Andhra Pradesh, she said the shift marks a defining moment in India's rural economy.

President Murmu's Address

“Today, rural women are no longer merely beneficiaries of government schemes; they have become wealth creators and are emerging as drivers of development,” President Murmu said. She attributed this transformation in part to the 'Lakhpati Didi' initiative, which she said has given “a distinct momentum and direction” to the empowerment of rural women. She added that increased participation in modern sectors such as digital services and renewable energy has opened new avenues for skill development.

The President went a step further, expressing her ambition that these women should not stop at being 'Lakhpati Didis' — earners of over ₹1 lakh annually — but should aspire to become 'Crorepati Didis' in the years ahead. “In the past, women relied on others for even the smallest things; today, however, they have not only become self-reliant but have also reached a point where they can serve as a source of support for others,” she said.

SHG Growth and Rural Economy Impact

President Murmu highlighted the scale of India's Self-Help Group (SHG) movement, noting that the number of women associated with these groups has grown to more than 10 crore over approximately 12 years. Under the government's Antyodaya vision, women-led institutions have been placed at the centre of the Rural Livelihood Mission, resulting in women providing leadership for village-level transformation. She said SARAS Melas have evolved into progressive rural marketplaces, strengthening the direct connection between rural women entrepreneurs and consumers and giving them access to urban markets.

What the Union Minister Said

Union Minister for Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan underscored the achievements of women in SHGs, saying: “Our Lakhpati Didis have done wonders. Now Lakhpati Didis are not just Lakhpatis anymore; they’ve become Millionaire Didis too.” He announced that SARAS Melas will no longer be confined to Delhi but will be organised across states to give rural women a wider platform. He also announced plans to establish SHE Marts in every district for large-scale marketing of products manufactured by SHG women.

Chouhan stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu are both committed to ensuring the financial self-reliance of SHG women. He also noted that the Andhra Pradesh model for SHG marketing would be replicated nationally, adding: “We envision a significant contribution from women in Self-Help Groups towards the creation of a Viksit Bharat.”

Andhra Pradesh's Role and Attendance

Chouhan highlighted that Andhra Pradesh leads the country in transforming SHG members into Lakhpati Didis, with 11 lakh SHG groups operating in the state. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is reportedly further strengthening DWCRA (Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas) women by providing them with technical support. The event was attended by Andhra Pradesh Governor S. Abdul Nazeer, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, and Central Ministers K. Ram Mohan Naidu, Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, and Kamlesh Paswan, among others.

The Road Ahead

President Murmu said achieving the goal of a Viksit Bharat by 2047 requires the benefits of development to reach every village and every home, with innovative SHGs and SARAS Melas playing a leading role. As SHE Marts expand district by district and SARAS Melas go national, the institutional architecture being built around women's economic empowerment will face its real test in delivery at scale.