Neemuch, August 5: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Self-Reliant Women’ and ‘Lakshmi Didis’ has found new expression among rural women in Neemuch district, Madhya Pradesh. Women, once confined to their homes, are now emerging as successful entrepreneurs through self-help groups. They are not only strengthening their families’ financial status but also establishing new models of employment and self-reliance in their villages.
In the Neemuch development block, 3,850 women have reached the ‘Lakshmi Didi’ category, showcasing the increasing participation of women in the rural economy and the effectiveness of government initiatives.
Self-help groups in Neemuch have evolved beyond mere savings and small loans. They have become robust platforms for entrepreneurship, self-employment, and economic independence for rural women. Currently, there are 1,287 self-help groups, 118 village organizations, and 12 Cluster Level Federations (CLFs) active in the region. The achievement of 3,850 women reaching the Lakshmi category highlights the success of this initiative.
Women are now successfully running various businesses, including grocery and general stores, flour mills, poultry farms, RO plants, Didi cafes, and fair price ration shops. These initiatives have not only empowered women economically but have also increased local employment opportunities in their villages.
Rajendra Kumar Chouhan, the development block manager of the Neemuch Panchayat, stated that the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) has been operational in Neemuch district since August 2018. Self-help groups are provided with bank linkages, offering loans of up to ₹1.5 lakh in the first phase, ₹3 lakh in the second, and ₹6 lakh in the third phase. Additionally, financial support is provided through Revolving Funds (RF) and Community Investment Funds (CIF) to help women start economic activities.
The positive impact of this financial assistance is clearly visible in the villages. In Dhaneriya Kala, women have successfully established an RO plant, poultry farms in two locations, and various self-employment units, including grocery and general stores. The ‘Didi Cafe’ operating in front of the district office and Panchayat premises has also become an inspiring example of women’s self-reliance.
Krishna Kheer from Ugaran village shared her experience of joining the Jai Bhavani self-help group in 2021. With the financial support, she started a general store selling sarees, children’s ready-made clothes, and other items. By 2023, she also began operating a fair price ration shop, earning approximately ₹15,000 to ₹20,000 monthly. Krishna emphasized that self-help groups provide women with opportunities for financial independence, encouraging more women to take advantage of these initiatives.
Rakesh Kunwar from Changerra village recounted how joining NRLM in 2018 transformed her life. She started a grocery store, a fair price shop, and a flour mill. Previously lacking a stable source of income, her financial situation improved significantly after joining a self-help group. Now, she manages the education and upbringing of her three daughters through her business income. She affirmed that the government’s women-friendly schemes play a crucial role in empowering rural women.
Sharda Bai from Changerra, a member of the Jai Maa Vaishnavi self-help group, shared that the loans received enabled her to start a small shop. Once a homemaker, her shop’s income has significantly improved her family’s financial condition. She expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Modi for the women empowerment initiatives.
Annu Bairwa from Dungalawada village mentioned that after joining the Shri Ganesh self-help group, she received loans of ₹1.5 lakh, ₹3 lakh, and ₹6 lakh. This assistance allowed her to start a grocery store, gradually strengthening her family’s financial status. With her savings, she also initiated a welding and lathe machine business for her husband. Together, they are enhancing their family income and providing better education for their children. Annu added that self-help groups have given opportunities to women who were previously hesitant to step outside their homes.
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