Gandhinagar: Over 1.5 lakh women in Gujarat have increased their incomes beyond Rs 1 lakh per year under the Central government’s ‘Lakhpati Didi’ initiative, marking a major milestone in women’s economic empowerment.
Launched in 2023 with the goal of making 3 crore women financially self-reliant by 2027, the initiative has gained significant traction across India.
Gujarat has seen 7.98 lakh women register, with a large percentage engaged in agriculture, handicrafts, and small businesses.
One such inspiring story is that of Ramilaben Mukeshbhai Joshi from Alwada, Banaskantha. She started making ‘Diwani Duvets’ in 2024, and within just a year, her earnings surpassed Rs 1 lakh.
“The self-help groups (SHGs) provided us with oxygen to live,” says Ramilaben, highlighting the transformative impact of the initiative.
The scheme assists rural women affiliated with SHGs in starting their own businesses, enabling them to earn an annual income of over Rs 1 lakh.
Women are encouraged to venture into sectors such as agriculture, animal husbandry, handicrafts, and other local enterprises.
The government provides training, financial aid, and market linkages to boost their incomes and create sustainable livelihoods.
As of now, 7,98,333 women have registered under the scheme in Gujarat. Of these, 7,66,743 women are engaged in agriculture-based employment, while others have found financial stability in sectors like handicrafts, production, services, and small businesses.
The initiative has gained immense traction in Gujarat, particularly in tribal regions.
In districts like Navsari, Valsad, and Dang, 1,06,823 women have been identified under the scheme, with over 30,527 of them now earning more than Rs 1 lakh annually.
One of the success stories emerging from the scheme is the Vanshree Restaurant in Karanjvel village, Vyara Taluka, Tapi district.
Operated by Ramilaben Parshottambhai Gamit and ten other SHG members, the restaurant serves traditional tribal cuisine and has witnessed an impressive turnover growth.
“We have been running 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 earnings range 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,” said Ramilaben.
She credits the government’s support and proper guidance for their financial growth and stability. To ensure the successful implementation of the scheme, the Gujarat government has taken several key measures.
At the taluka level, 124 master trainers have been appointed, who have trained over 10,000 women so far. These community resource persons (CRPs) work closely with SHGs, providing assistance and guidance. A digital livelihood register is maintained to monitor the progress of women entrepreneurs, facilitating training, financial aid, and market access.
(IANS)
