More than 30,000 rural women affiliated with Self-Help Groups (SHGs) across Uttar Pradesh have stitched over 1.9 crore (19 million) Tricolours ahead of the 79th Independence Day, nearly meeting the state government's target of 2 crore national flags under the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign. The milestone, achieved through approximately 6,000 SHGs coordinated by the Uttar Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission (UPSRLM), underscores how a patriotic drive has simultaneously become an engine of rural women's economic empowerment.

Scale of the Mission

The flag-making effort spans roughly 6,000 SHGs and involves women who worked long hours across multiple production centres — handling every stage from cutting and stitching to quality finishing. The UPSRLM coordinated the entire supply chain, with completed flags now being routed to the public through Gram Panchayats, Common Service Centres, block development offices, post offices, and allied organisations.

The flags will first be handed to Gram Pradhans (village heads) at the panchayat level before reaching individual households as part of the campaign's distribution drive.

What the Yogi Government Said

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath called upon citizens to participate enthusiastically in the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign and set a fresh target of hoisting the National Flag at 5 crore (50 million) households across the state this year. The Yogi administration had originally set the SHG production target at 2 crore flags, a goal that is now within touching distance.

Arun Kumar, Mission Director of the UPSRLM, inspected production centres on Tuesday and noted that the campaign had evolved beyond patriotism. 'The hard work and collective effort of women from the SHGs are not only making this national campaign a success but are also contributing to the vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat,' he said.

UP's Record in 'Har Ghar Tiranga'

Uttar Pradesh has consistently ranked among the most active states in the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' initiative. Over 4.1 crore households unfurled the National Flag in the campaign's earlier edition, followed by more than 4.5 crore households in both 2023 and 2024, and approximately 4.76 crore households in 2025. This year's target of 5 crore households represents the state's most ambitious participation goal yet.

Economic Empowerment Angle

Beyond the patriotic symbolism, the flag-production drive has emerged as a meaningful income source for women in rural Uttar Pradesh. The involvement of over 30,000 women in a time-bound, government-backed manufacturing task reflects the broader potential of SHG networks as rural production units — a model that analysts say could be replicated for other state procurement drives.

Notably, this is the latest in a series of initiatives linking the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign with livelihood generation, reinforcing the government's stated 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' framing. With the 79th Independence Day approaching, distribution is expected to be completed in the days ahead.