Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the lead in the Sashakt Nari-Viksit Bharat program in Delhi on Monday. Making a noteworthy gesture, PM Modi personally handed out drones to 1,000 Namo Drone Didis representing various regions of the nation, highlighting their capabilities simultaneously from 10 different locations.
Addressing the gathering, PM Modi said, "I believe that the 'Nari Shakti' can lead the technological revolution of India in this 21st century." He highlighted the remarkable contributions of Indian women across various sectors, from IT to space, and reaffirmed India's position as a global leader in the number of women commercial pilots.
The initiative aims to connect 15,000 self-help groups, empowering women to become drone pilots for agricultural purposes such as crop monitoring, fertiliser spraying, and seed sowing. This move promises to provide additional income opportunities for numerous women across the country.
PM Modi underlined the significance of drone technology, stating, "In the coming years, drone technology is going to expand in the country. Innumerable avenues are going to open up for the 'Namo Drone Didis'." He applauded the expansive growth of Self Help Groups (SHGs) in India, hailing it as a historic achievement in women's empowerment.
Taking a swipe at the opposition, PM Modi said, "Whenever I have spoken about the empowerment of women, parties like Congress made fun of me and insulted me. Modi's schemes are the result of on-ground experiences." He also lauded the achievements of Lakhpati Didis, who have excelled with the support of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission.
In alignment with the government's vision for women empowerment, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced during the presentation of the Interim Budget 2024-25 that the target for Lakhpati Didis has been raised from 2 crore to 3 crore. Sitharaman highlighted the transformative impact of SHGs, with 83 lakh SHGs involving 9 crore women, contributing to rural empowerment and self-reliance.
During the event, PM Modi also facilitated the distribution of approximately Rs 8,000 crore in bank loans to Self-Help Groups (SHGs) at subsidised interest rates, along with Rs 2,000 crore in Capitalization Support Funds.
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