Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Friday, 18 September 2026, conducted an extensive series of public interactions across his Guna Lok Sabha constituency in Madhya Pradesh, meeting villagers, welfare scheme beneficiaries, and students on the second day of a four-day outreach visit. The engagements spanned ration shop inspections, beneficiary programmes, and a university interaction, with women's empowerment and scheme implementation at the centre of his agenda.

PDS Inspection and Drone Demonstration

Scindia began the day at Barkheda Gird, where he inspected a Public Distribution System (PDS) ration shop and reviewed the biometric authentication mechanism used to distribute foodgrains. He warned that any attempt to deprive entitled beneficiaries of their rations or to engage in irregularities should invite strict action.

During a Mukhyamantri Jan Vishwas camp held in the village, Scindia interacted with Namo Drone Didi Kiran and flew a drone alongside her. He praised her technical skills and confidence, noting that rural women adopting modern technology were creating new agricultural opportunities and advancing self-reliance.

Focus on Women's Economic Empowerment

At a beneficiary programme held at Shubh Vidai Garden, Scindia met recipients of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and the Mukhyamantri Ladli Behna Yojana, with a particular emphasis on women's economic and social progress. He highlighted related initiatives including the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana and the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, stressing their role in increasing women's ownership, self-reliance, and participation in decision-making.

'Women's empowerment is not limited to government schemes; it is also about changing the mindset of families and society,' Scindia said, adding that household responsibilities should be shared equally by men and women.

Beneficiaries shared personal accounts of how the schemes had changed their lives. Bank Sakhi Rekha said she had achieved financial self-reliance and was earning around ₹1 lakh annually. Ladli Behna beneficiary Ramrati said she had used assistance under the scheme to purchase a sewing machine and was now earning between ₹8,000 and ₹10,000 per month through tailoring.

University Visit and Student Interaction

In the evening, Scindia visited Tatya Tope University, where he held an interaction with students on their academic work, syllabi, and projects. During the session, he noticed a student using a mobile phone and asked him to switch it off.

'I have the eyes of a hawk; the Congress knows this,' Scindia remarked, drawing a characteristic political reference.

He also reflected on the role of educators, describing doctors, farmers, and teachers as three kinds of 'givers' in a person's life — the doctor who gives life, the farmer who provides food, and the teacher who imparts knowledge.

Context and Broader Significance

The Guna constituency holds particular political significance for Scindia, who has deep roots in the region. The four-day visit signals an intensified ground-level engagement strategy, with an emphasis on verifying scheme delivery rather than simply announcing them — a model increasingly adopted by ruling-party legislators ahead of state and national electoral cycles. This comes amid the Centre's broader push to improve last-mile delivery of flagship welfare programmes across rural Madhya Pradesh.

As the visit enters its third and fourth days, further interactions with local bodies and district administration officials are expected.