Vijayawada, Oct 2026 : President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday said rural women are no longer merely beneficiaries of government welfare schemes but have emerged as wealth creators and key drivers of development, highlighting the growing economic contribution of women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs) across the country.
Inaugurating the National SARAS Mela in Vijayawada, organised by the Union Ministry of Rural Development in collaboration with the Andhra Pradesh government, the President said initiatives such as the Centre’s ‘Lakhpati Didi’ programme had given fresh momentum and direction to the economic empowerment of rural women.
She observed that the growing participation of women in modern sectors, including digital services and renewable energy, had opened new avenues for skill development, entrepreneurship and income generation.
“Today, rural women are no longer merely beneficiaries of government schemes; they have become wealth creators and are emerging as drivers of development,” Murmu said.
Emphasising the government’s commitment to inclusive growth under the vision of Antyodaya, the President said women-led institutions had been placed at the centre of the Rural Livelihood Mission. This approach, she added, was enabling women to take leadership roles in transforming villages and strengthening the rural economy.
Murmu noted that the number of women associated with Self-Help Groups had increased to more than 10 crore over approximately 12 years, reflecting the growing reach and impact of collective economic initiatives.
She said the achievements of women entrepreneurs should serve as a foundation for more ambitious goals in the coming years. While the ‘Lakhpati Didi’ initiative had helped women improve their financial standing, the next objective should be to enable them to become ‘Crorepati Didis’.
The President remarked that women who once depended on others even for small needs had increasingly become financially independent and were now in a position to support other members of their communities.
Stressing the importance of balanced development, Murmu said the benefits of economic progress must reach every village and household if India is to achieve the goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047. Innovative Self-Help Groups and platforms such as SARAS Melas, she said, would have a significant role in advancing this objective.
Describing SARAS Melas as progressive marketplaces for rural products, the President said they had strengthened direct links between rural women entrepreneurs and consumers across the country. These fairs provide women with opportunities to reach urban markets, improve their marketing skills and expand their businesses.
During the event, Murmu visited various SARAS stalls and interacted with women entrepreneurs associated with the Lakhpati Didi initiative, gaining insights into their products and entrepreneurial experiences.
Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan highlighted the initiatives undertaken by the Central and Andhra Pradesh governments to strengthen women’s economic participation through Self-Help Groups.
“Our Lakhpati Didis have done wonders. Now Lakhpati Didis are not just Lakhpatis anymore; they've become Millionaire Didis too,” Chouhan said, underlining the progress made by women in building sustainable livelihoods.
He announced plans to expand SARAS Melas beyond Delhi, with similar events to be organised in different states to provide women entrepreneurs with wider market access. The government also intends to establish SHE Marts in every district to facilitate large-scale marketing of products manufactured by SHG members.
Chouhan said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu were committed to ensuring the financial self-reliance of women associated with Self-Help Groups.
He praised Naidu for strengthening women under the Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas (DWCRA) programme by providing technical support. Andhra Pradesh has around 11 lakh SHG groups and is playing a leading role in helping women members become Lakhpati Didis, he said.
The Union Minister added that the government would adopt the Andhra Pradesh model for marketing products made by women’s groups. The proposed SHE Marts would provide a stronger platform for promoting these products and expanding their commercial reach.
“We envision a significant contribution from women in Self-Help Groups towards the creation of a Viksit Bharat,” Chouhan said.
The event was attended by Andhra Pradesh Governor S. Abdul Nazeer, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, Union Ministers K. Ram Mohan Naidu, Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar and Kamlesh Paswan, along with the Secretary of the Union Ministry of Rural Development and other officials.
