Agartala, March 8: C. P. Radhakrishnan on Saturday interacted with members of Women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs) at the International Trade & Fair Centre on the occasion of International Women’s Day, praising their role in grassroots development and women’s empowerment.
Addressing the gathering, the Vice-President said India has witnessed significant transformation in the past decade under the leadership of Narendra Modi. He noted that the country has moved from the concept of “women development” to “women-led development,” where women are not only beneficiaries of schemes but also active drivers of economic and social progress.
Highlighting the impact of Self-Help Groups, Radhakrishnan said they have become a powerful tool for empowering women by promoting financial independence, leadership and entrepreneurship at the grassroots level.
Referring to the government’s Lakhpati Didi initiative, he said nearly 10 crore women across India have been connected to SHGs and more than two crore women have already become “Lakhpati Didis,” earning over ₹1 lakh annually through various livelihood activities.
He also appreciated the efforts of the Government of Tripura for setting a target of creating 1.35 lakh Lakhpati Didis in the state, describing it as a sign of rapid progress in women’s empowerment.
The Vice-President further highlighted initiatives such as Namo Drone Didi and the prioritisation of women beneficiaries under welfare schemes like Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Jal Jeevan Mission and Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, which he said have significantly improved the quality of life for women across the country.
Later, the Vice-President visited stalls set up by SHGs at the venue and interacted with women entrepreneurs showcasing locally made products from different districts of the state.
The programme was attended by Indra Sena Reddy Nallu, Manik Saha, MLAs, senior government officials and members of various Self-Help Groups.
