Over 1.5 Lakh Women in Gujarat Attain Financial Independence through ‘Lakhpati Didi’ Program
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Synopsis
Gandhinagar, March 7 (NationPress) More than 1.5 lakh women in Gujarat have boosted their earnings to exceed Rs 1 lakh annually under the Central government's ‘Lakhpati Didi’ initiative, representing a significant achievement in women's economic empowerment.
Key Takeaways
- Over 1.5 lakh women in Gujarat have achieved financial independence.
- The ‘Lakhpati Didi’ initiative aims to empower 3 crore women by 2027.
- Training and financial support are provided to women entrepreneurs.
- Success stories include Ramilaben Joshi and the Vanshree Restaurant.
- Significant progress noted particularly in tribal regions.
Gandhinagar, March 7 (NationPress) More than 1.5 lakh women in Gujarat have boosted their earnings to exceed Rs 1 lakh annually under the Central government's ‘Lakhpati Didi’ initiative, representing a significant achievement in women's economic empowerment.
Initiated in 2023 with the ambition of empowering 3 crore women to achieve financial self-reliance by 2027, the program has gained remarkable momentum throughout India.
In Gujarat, 7.98 lakh women have registered, with a substantial number involved in agriculture, handicrafts, and small enterprises.
One remarkable story is that of Ramilaben Mukeshbhai Joshi from Alwada, Banaskantha. She began crafting ‘Diwani Duvets’ in 2024, and in just a year, her income exceeded Rs 1 lakh.
“The self-help groups (SHGs) provided us with the support we needed,” Ramilaben states, emphasizing the transformative nature of the initiative.
The program aids rural women linked with SHGs in launching their own businesses, allowing them to achieve annual earnings surpassing Rs 1 lakh.
Women are motivated to explore areas like agriculture, animal husbandry, handicrafts, and other local ventures.
The government offers training, financial support, and market connections to enhance their income and establish sustainable livelihoods.
Currently, 7,98,333 women are registered under the initiative in Gujarat. Out of these, 7,66,743 women are engaged in agriculture-based jobs, while others are finding financial security in handicrafts, production, services, and small enterprises.
The initiative has gained tremendous popularity in Gujarat, especially in tribal areas.
In districts like Navsari, Valsad, and Dang, 1,06,823 women have been identified under the program, with over 30,527 of them now earning more than Rs 1 lakh a year.
One of the success stories from this initiative is the Vanshree Restaurant located in Karanjvel village, Vyara Taluka, Tapi district.
Managed by Ramilaben Parshottambhai Gamit and ten other SHG members, the restaurant specializes in traditional tribal dishes and has experienced remarkable turnover growth.
“We have been operating this restaurant for four years. Initially, we received a Rs 50,000 loan for groceries and essentials. We have since repaid the loan, and now our monthly income ranges from Rs 3.5 lakh to Rs 4 lakh. In 2023, our turnover was Rs 40 lakh, which increased to Rs 41.88 lakh in 2024,” Ramilaben shared.
She attributes their financial success and stability to the government’s support and proper guidance. To ensure the effective execution of this initiative, the Gujarat government has implemented several critical measures.
At the taluka level, 124 master trainers have been appointed, who have trained over 10,000 women thus far. These community resource persons (CRPs) collaborate closely with SHGs, providing assistance and guidance. A digital livelihood register is maintained to track the progress of women entrepreneurs, facilitating training, financial support, and market access.
