How Does Ujjwala Yojana Empower Women in Chhattisgarh's Kondagaon?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Ujjwala Yojana provides free LPG connections to women from low-income families.
- It alleviates health issues caused by smoke from traditional cooking methods.
- The initiative empowers women and promotes independence.
- Millions of connections have been established across India.
- The scheme is a key part of the government's efforts to improve rural living conditions.
New Delhi, Sep 20 (NationPress) The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), initiated in 2016 to offer complimentary LPG connections to women from economically disadvantaged households, is actively changing lives in rural India, delivering both relief and empowerment.
In the Kondagaon district of Chhattisgarh, women who have benefited from the scheme express that it has liberated them from the burdens of cooking on conventional mud stoves, while also alleviating health risks associated with smoke exposure.
This central government initiative, designed to encourage the use of LPG instead of firewood and other fossil fuels, has significantly decreased the time spent on daily chores, allowing women more freedom to engage in other pursuits.
Roshni Sori, a resident of Bade Rajpur village, shared how the Ujjwala Yojana has been a pivotal moment in her life.
“Thanks to Prime Minister Modi's initiatives like Jan Dhan Yojana, Ayushman Bharat Yojana, and Ujjwala Yojana, I have reaped substantial benefits. Without Ujjwala Yojana, I would still be cooking on a traditional chulha, wasting time and suffering from smoke inhalation. Cooking is now much simpler,” she stated in an interview with IANS.
Sori emphasized that access to LPG cylinders at subsidized prices has been a boon for both her finances and time.
“Previously, we faced respiratory issues from the smoke of chulhas. Now, with LPG, those health problems have vanished. This scheme has truly delivered relief,” she remarked.
She further acknowledged Prime Minister Narendra Modi for promoting women's empowerment through such welfare initiatives.
“Thanks to PM Modi, women like us are now self-sufficient. He has shown great concern for the underprivileged, and we trust he will continue to advocate for everyone's welfare,” she said.
The Ujjwala scheme, while addressing health issues, is widely regarded as a catalyst for social transformation in rural India, bestowing women with dignity and independence in their daily lives.
With millions of connections distributed nationwide, this initiative stands as one of the flagship programs of the central government in its mission to empower women and enhance rural living conditions.