CM Vishnu Dev Sai Celebrates Rakshabandhan: 13.85 Lakh Lakhpati Didis and Mahtari Vandan Scheme Fueling Women Empowerment in Chhattisgarh
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Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai celebrated the auspicious festival of Rakshabandhan at his official residence in Raipur, where mothers and sisters from diverse backgrounds tied rakhis and showered him with blessings. Highlighting the state's monumental strides in gender equality, the Chief Minister underscored that welfare initiatives like the Mahtari Vandan Yojana and the historic milestone of empowering 13.85 lakh women as Lakhpati Didis are transforming rural economies and establishing robust pillars for women's empowerment across the state.
Warm Celebrations and the 'Sneh Ki Dor' Initiative
The CM's residence resonated with warmth and joy as women across various strata of society—including self-help group members, women journalists, Padma awardees, differently-abled sisters, and representatives of Prajapita Brahmakumari Ishwari University—participated in the festivities. Notably, Mrs. Sarla Dubey, wife of the late Colonel Ashok Kumar Dubey (Chhattisgarh's first soldier to join the Army), graced the occasion by tying a rakhi, evoking an emotional and proud moment for the state.
In addition to the main residence event, the state capital hosted the unique 'Sneh Ki Dor' program, where women tied rakhis on the wrists of approximately 1,600 security personnel from the CRPF, BSF, CISF, and ITBP, honoring the unwavering dedication of soldiers safeguarding the nation.
Mahtari Vandan Yojana: Boosting Financial Independence
Reiterating that women's economic empowerment remains a top priority, Chief Minister Sai pointed to the profound impact of the Mahtari Vandan Yojana. Under the scheme, financial assistance of ₹1,000 per month is regularly credited to approximately 68 lakh women in the state. Ahead of Rakshabandhan, the 31st installment exceeding ₹631 crore was transferred directly into beneficiaries' bank accounts, enabling mothers and sisters to celebrate the festival with enthusiasm while utilizing the funds for basic household needs, children's education, and healthcare.
Chhattisgarh Surpasses Targets With 13.85 Lakh Lakhpati Didis
The state has drastically outperformed national development targets, emerging as a frontrunner in women-led entrepreneurship:
Exceeding Lakhpati Didi Targets: While initially set to empower 8.08 lakh women, Chhattisgarh has successfully elevated 13.85 lakh women to Lakhpati Didis over the past two years.
Tech-Driven Drone Didis: Rural women are actively embracing modern technology by operating agricultural drones to spray fertilizers and pesticides, earning substantial daily incomes ranging between ₹6,000 and ₹7,000.
Grassroots Livelihoods: Initiatives such as e-rickshaw fleets in Naya Raipur and Jashpur, alongside women-led manufacturing units producing sintering plates for Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana housing projects, are opening diverse avenues of financial self-reliance.
Pro-Women Industrial Policies and Inclusive Governance
The state government has introduced dedicated incentives for women entrepreneurs under its new Industrial Development Policy, complementing a 50 percent discount on property registration fees for deeds registered in women's names—benefiting nearly 30,000 women over the past two and a half years. Concluding his address, Chief Minister Sai emphasized that realizing the vision of a developed Chhattisgarh by 2047 is impossible without active female leadership, reaffirming the administration's resolve to ensure safety, dignity, and absolute economic independence for every woman in the state.
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