Mumbai, March 12: Preeti Adani, chairperson of the Adani Foundation, announced a significant expansion of the ‘Swaabhimaan – The Rise of She’ initiative during an event held in Mumbai. The goal is to empower approximately 1 million women across India economically over the next five years. This program aims to make urban underprivileged women self-reliant and promote entrepreneurship.
In a media interaction following the event, Preeti Adani stated that the ‘Swaabhimaan’ initiative began three to four years ago, focusing on providing women with skill training, financial literacy, and entrepreneurial opportunities. She explained that the program teaches women how to market their products and grow their businesses. So far, over 4,500 women have joined the initiative, with many emerging as ‘Lakshmi Didis,’ achieving not only economic independence but also playing a crucial role in their families’ education, health, and other needs.
Preeti Adani emphasized that ‘Swaabhimaan’ is not just a program but a movement that inspires women to move forward with confidence and respect. She described it as a celebration of the hard work, courage, and success of thousands of women who have rewritten their life stories. The Adani Foundation has assisted these women in skill development, financial and digital literacy, and connecting them to markets.
She further announced that the foundation aims to connect one lakh women in Maharashtra to the ‘Swaabhimaan’ initiative in the next phase, with plans to extend the program nationwide, ultimately empowering 1 million women economically.
BMC Mayor Ritu Tawde, speaking to the media, noted that the Adani Foundation, Adani Electricity, and the Women’s Economic Development Corporation have been collaborating on this initiative for the past two to three years. She highlighted that since the campaign began in 2022-23, over 4,500 women have been reached, with many inspiring success stories emerging. Tawde expressed hope that this initiative will soon reach over one lakh women, enabling them to become financially literate and self-reliant.
She also mentioned the central government’s Lakshmi Didi scheme, initiated under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, which has reached over 3.7 million women in Maharashtra. The goal is to connect an additional 2.5 million women, potentially leading to around 6 to 6.5 million women becoming ‘Lakshmi Didis’ by the end of this financial year.
Additionally, Maharashtra’s Minister of Women and Child Development, Aditi Sunil Tatkare, praised the initiative, stating that such programs are crucial for economically empowering and fostering entrepreneurship among women. She noted that both the central and state governments are implementing various schemes and initiatives to make women self-reliant.
In her address, Preeti Adani cited India’s first female teacher, Savitribai Phule, who faced numerous challenges while educating girls but never gave up. She emphasized that education is the most significant means of societal change. Preeti Adani remarked that the literacy rate of women in India was about 8% at the time of independence, which has now risen to over 75%. This transformation is the result of the struggles and determination of millions of women.
During the event, special stalls were set up for women entrepreneurs associated with ‘Swaabhimaan,’ showcasing their products and services, including handmade items, food products, and various skill-based services. This exhibition demonstrated how women can transform their lives with the right training and opportunities.
The ‘Swaabhimaan’ initiative is a collaboration between the Adani Foundation, Adani Electricity, and the Women’s Economic Development Corporation. Its aim is to provide skill training, savings arrangements, and opportunities to start sustainable businesses for women from urban poor and marginalized communities. Through this program, several self-help groups have been transformed into enterprise self-help groups, paving the way for women to achieve economic self-sufficiency.
My name is Himanshu Tiwari. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
Leave a Comment