Empowering Women: Shivraj Singh Launches Loan and Certification Program in Bhopal

Bhopal, October 24 (Daily Kiran) : Central Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan participated in a significant event at Sage University in Bhopal on October 24, where he addressed the Rural Self Employment Training Institute (RSETI) program. During the event, he distributed certificates to women who completed training in beauty and tailoring, and provided them with loans to start their own businesses.

In his address, Chauhan emphasized that this initiative is not just a training program but a vital step towards directly linking women to employment opportunities. He expressed delight that some participants had already begun their businesses after completing the 35-day training course. This demonstrates that with the right training, opportunities, and support, women can rapidly move towards self-sufficiency.

Chauhan outlined the goal of the initiative: to bring joy to every household, provide work for every hand, and connect people to various livelihood activities. The primary aim is to empower women with skills, enabling them to stand on their own feet and strengthen their families’ economic status.

He noted that this was the first batch of training, with a total of 230 women from the Vidisha parliamentary constituency, covering the districts of Vidisha, Sehore, Dewas, and Raisen. Loans have already been sanctioned for 80 of these women to help them commence their businesses.

Chauhan announced that the next training group will start on October 27, and this effort will continue. He expressed confidence that such training programs will open new avenues for self-employment and play a crucial role in economically empowering women.

In addition, Chauhan shared plans to enhance the future of daughters through the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana. He acknowledged that while the scheme is beneficial, many families are unaware or unable to open accounts due to financial constraints. An analysis revealed that around 86,000 daughters could potentially benefit from this initiative, with an estimated 10,000 in each assembly constituency. The plan includes depositing an initial sum of ₹1,000 into their accounts to encourage families to engage with the scheme and continue regular deposits, ultimately providing substantial funds for their education and future needs.

Chauhan highlighted that a special project is underway to provide livelihood opportunities for economically weaker families in rural areas. The aim is to connect every family to some form of livelihood activity, thereby strengthening their economic conditions and fostering self-reliance. He acknowledged that achieving this goal would not be easy and would take time, but the objective is clear: to bring about positive changes in the lives of impoverished families.

Plans are also in place to establish a skill center in Mandideep to link youth with employment. Given the abundance of factories in the area, training will be tailored to meet industrial needs, thus providing job opportunities for trained youth in local industries. Furthermore, the potential for converting coaching centers into skill development centers is being explored, ensuring that young people gain both theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary for employment.

Chauhan reiterated the commitment to ensuring that no one remains unemployed, that everyone has skills, and that job opportunities are available for all. He particularly emphasized the importance of empowering daughters economically, enabling them to lead confident lives without facing desperation.

He pointed out the existing disparities in treatment and opportunities between daughters and sons in society. Daughters often face challenges when transitioning to new families after marriage, particularly in financially strained situations. Chauhan reflected on the historical context of daughters leaving their parental homes, noting that it was not merely a tradition but a reflection of their struggles and circumstances.

The minister reaffirmed the commitment to making daughters self-sufficient, securing their futures, linking them to employment, and providing opportunities for a dignified life. Various initiatives in training, self-employment, skill development, agriculture, and health services will be advanced to bring about real change in people’s lives.

Additionally, efforts are being made to enhance farmers’ incomes and agricultural production through improved farming techniques. Farmers are being sent to other states for training in advanced agricultural practices, enabling them to apply new techniques in their fields and train other farmers. Chauhan envisions that a farmer who learns effective farming can become a master trainer in their village, benefiting many others.

To implement the agricultural roadmap, there is a need for farmers willing to showcase demonstration farming on their lands. They will be provided with quality seeds for demonstration plots, ensuring that the benefits of improved agricultural practices reach a wider audience.