Daijiworld Media Network - Gandhinagar
Gandhinagar, Mar 6: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on a two-day visit to Gujarat, starting Friday, with a primary focus on empowering women and boosting their economic independence. His visit will coincide with International Women's Day and will feature several significant events and announcements aimed at advancing women’s welfare.
One of the highlights of the visit will be his attendance at the ‘Lakhpati Didi Sammelan’ in Navsari district. At the event, PM Modi will distribute financial assistance exceeding Rs 450 crore to more than 2.5 lakh women from 25,000 self-help groups across Gujarat.
The 'Lakhpati Didi Yojana,' launched by PM Modi on August 15, 2023, is designed to foster women’s entrepreneurship and enhance their financial independence. The initiative supports self-help group members who earn a monthly income of Rs 10,000 or more, or Rs 1 lakh annually, from activities like agriculture, animal husbandry, and small-scale industries. So far, around 1.5 lakh women have achieved the 'Lakhpati Didi' status.
The Sammelan at Vansi-Borsi will see the participation of over 1 lakh women from the districts of Navsari, Valsad, and Dang. These women, many of whom are SHG members, are working towards becoming ‘Lakhpati Didis.’ PM Modi is expected to interact with 10 selected beneficiaries and will also felicitate five prominent women with certificates for their accomplishments.
Additionally, the event will feature a screening of a film showcasing Gujarat’s progress under the 'Lakhpati Didi Yojana.' PM Modi will also inaugurate two other state-specific schemes.
On March 8, the Prime Minister will launch the G-SAFAL (Gujarat Scheme for Antyodaya Families for Augmenting Livelihoods) initiative. This scheme is aimed at strengthening the economic self-sufficiency of women from Antyodaya families. Over the next five years, G-SAFAL will benefit 50,000 families from the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) in two aspirational districts and 13 talukas of Gujarat. The scheme will provide financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh per woman, along with vocational training, over the course of five years, totaling Rs 500 crore in support.
PM Modi will also launch the G-MAITRI (Gujarat Mentorship and Acceleration of Individuals for Transforming Rural Income) scheme. This initiative is designed to empower rural startups and foster social entrepreneurship. The scheme will allocate Rs 50 crore over five years through the Gujarat Social Enterprise Fund (G-SEF) to support livelihood-focused startups. The G-MAITRI initiative aims to reach 10 lakh rural women and youth, offering grants and incentives to social enterprises.
Key features of G-MAITRI include incentives for social enterprises, support for over 150 startups, and financial assistance of up to Rs 30 lakh for scaling startups. Additionally, workshops and training programs will be organized to foster rural development and entrepreneurship.