Raipur, March 1: The Lakhpati Didi Yojana, launched by the Modi government to empower and uplift women, particularly those from rural backgrounds, is helping millions of middle-class farmers and their families realize their dreams and aspirations.
In Chhattisgarh's Surguja district, the lives of rural women have been transformed. The villagers are not only switching from traditional cooking methods to gas cylinders but are also becoming self-reliant and self-employed.
Here, women are starting businesses and marketing rural products in the international market to compete with large companies.
The Surguja district administration has introduced another innovation to improve the lives of women.
An outlet named Asha Bihan Bazaar has been established, which brands and attractively packages products from self-help groups. These products are now available in city shops and e-commerce sites. A key feature is the "Chhattis Kala" brand, which allows products from different regions of the state to be sold in other districts.
Under the Lakhpati Didi Yojana, Asha Devi received a loan of Rs 5 lakh from the National Rural Livelihood Mission, which has enabled her to become self-reliant.
Asha Devi, from Kishun Nagar village in Surguja, explained that previously, they lacked a permanent place to sell their products. However, they received a Rs 5 lakh loan from the District Panchayat under the Lakhpati Didi Yojana, which enabled them to open this shop under the name Asha Bihan.
She explained that in this Bihan Bazaar, they sell pure products made in their village, all made by the "Didis" (women) of the group. Products such as moringa powder, mustard oil, cumin flower rice, and tikhur flour are available here.
District Panchayat CEO Vinay Agarwal explained that the "Bihan Didis" in Surguja district manufacture a variety of products, but due to a lack of a proper platform and improved branding and packaging, their products were unable to achieve the same market recognition as other products. Therefore, these products will now be sold in attractive packaging under the brand name 'Chhattis Kala'.