Prime Minister: What kind of conversation takes place between those who have become "Lakhpati Didis" and those who have not?

Lakhpati Didi: The experiences and living conditions of those who have become Lakhpati Didis are markedly different. They become self-reliant, which enables them to manage their family expenses effectively. Sir, I also have two "Divyang Didis" (differently-abled sisters) whom I have supported. I feel immensely happy to see their progress.

Prime Minister: Did those  'Divyang Didis' also become Lakhpati Didis?

Lakhpati Didi: Yes, indeed. I helped them become Lakhpatis as well.

Prime Minister: What kind of work do they do?

Lakhpati Didi: One is in the Dona Pattal business, and the other runs a grocery shop. I, myself, am a Lakhpati CRP (Community Resource Person), earning between 3.5 half to 4 lakh rupees. I have also helped my sisters become Lakhpati CRPs.

Lakhpati Didi: I am already a Lakhpati, and I have recently helped 260 women become Lakhpatis too.

Prime Minister: You have become a Lakhpati Didi, which means how much do you earn in a year?

Lakhpati Didi: I earn 8 lakh rupees a year.

Prime Minister: 8 lakh rupees?

Lakhpati Didi: Yes, Sir.

Prime Minister: That’s double the income! How many years did it take you to achieve this?

Lakhpati Didi: I have just completed five years, Sir.

Prime Minister: The people of Assam must see you as a tremendous source of inspiration.

Lakhpati Didi: Yes, let's see. I have gone from being a zero to becoming a hero, Sir.

Prime Minister: Well done!

Lakhpati Didi: The name of my self-help group is Ati-uttamam Sakhi Mandal. We produce handmade and homemade beauty products, all crafted from household items. Platforms like Saras Mela, Vibrant Gujarat, and the Monsoon Festival have provided us with such great exposure, which has significantly increased the popularity of our products. In just one year, we have achieved a turnover of over 30 lakhs.

Prime Minister: 30 lakh rupees!

Lakhpati Didi: Our turnover exceeds 30 lakh rupees, and our net profit is over 12 lakh rupees, Sir.

Lakhpati Didi: Ten women jointly run a sanitary napkin company, Sir.

Prime Minister: How far is your village from Latur?

Lakhpati Didi: It is 20 kilometres away, Sir.

Prime Minister: 20 kilometres. How many women were involved when you first started?

Lakhpati Didi: There were 10 of us initially. No one was willing to join, and people were hesitant to even talk about sanitary napkins. 

Prime Minister: What is your current turnover?

Lakhpati Didi: The turnover is Rs 5 lakh, Sir.

Prime Minister: How do you speak Hindi so fluently?

Lakhpati Didi: It just comes naturally, Sir, from speaking with others.

Prime Minister: Do you sell your products outside of Maharashtra?

Lakhpati Didi: No, Sir, we only operate within Maharashtra at the moment. I am very grateful for the women’s empowerment programme and the employment opportunities we have received, Sir. You have played a crucial role in this. We are simply the medium; you have paved the entire path. We just have to walk it.

Lakhpati Didi: I have been working as a Bank Sakhi since 2017.

Prime Minister: How much do you earn now?

Lakhpati Didi: I currently earn between Rs. 4.5 to 5 lakhs, Sir.

Prime Minister: Are you from this area?

Lakhpati Didi: Yes, I am.

Prime Minister: Then you should take everyone home.

Lakhpati Didi: I will, Sir. You should come along too.

Prime Minister: Yes, but who invites me? No one does.

Lakhpati Didi: I am an expert, Sir. My job is to help women, especially rural women, who often face difficulties in going to the bank or handling issues at home. I visit their homes and help them open their bank accounts.

Lakhpati Didi: Sir, let me share an example from yesterday. My daughter was asked at school where her mother was.

Prime Minister: Yes.

Lakhpati Didi: Sir, my child proudly said, “My mother has gone to Maharashtra to meet Modi Ji.” Sir, you once visited Nahan, and although I couldn’t meet you then, today I am very happy to have this opportunity. It’s a great honour for me, Sir.

Prime Minister: I used to visit Sirmaur quite often in the past.

Lakhpati Didi: In 2023, we celebrated the International Year of Millets. We received training in millets, Sir. Following that, we secured a building near the collectorate's district panchayat, where we now run a millet café. There are 38 women like us working there.

Prime Minister: How much do you earn?

Lakhpati Didi: Sir, my salary there is Rs 30,000. So, my total annual income is 3 lakh 30 thousand rupees.

Lakhpati Didi: I also work as a Pashu Sakhi and a health worker for NDD, Gujarat. I am a Lakhpati Didi myself, and 88 women work alongside me.

Lakhpati Didi: My group is called Jai Mata Di. I work as a Pashu Sakhi in the group, and in the village of Pathri, I work with 500 farmers.

Prime Minister: 500?

Lakhpati Didi: Yes, with 500 farmers.

Lakhpati Didi: My role is to provide loans to the SAG Didis and help them progress. I earn around 1 lakh 50 thousand rupees a year from this.

Prime Minister: 1.50 lakh?

Lakhpati Didi: Yes, Sir.

Prime Minister: Wow.

Lakhpati Didi: Sir, we are Amedian, and in our society, women weren’t allowed to go out. The condition of my household was very dire, Sir. But after joining the group, I got the job of Pashu Sakhi in the village Pathri. Today, I am a Lakhpati Didi, Sir.

Prime Minister: Where are you from?

Lakhpati Didi: From Meghalaya.

Prime Minister: Meghalaya. How many sisters are with you?

Lakhpati Didi: There are 10 of us in the group.

Prime Minister: Ten.

Lakhpati Didi: Yes, but we are doing a lot of work in the SHG pharmacy. I have just invested Rs 3.03 lakh at the SHG pharmacy.

Lakhpati Didi: Before we became part of this campaign, we had no name or identity. After joining, our dignity was enhanced. We became agricultural doctors and received training as Krishi Sakhis.

Lakhpati Didi: Now, we are known as Doctor Didis.

Prime Minister: How many animals do you take care of?

Lakhpati Didi: Sir, our block is very large. There are 20 of us working there, and we have made 470 Lakhpati Didis in that area.

Prime Minister: 470?

Lakhpati Didi: Yes.

Prime Minister: Wow, you’ve done an incredible job. Many congratulations to you.

Lakhpati Didi: Sir, in 2021, you planned to form 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations. Under that initiative, we established Aatmanirbhar Mahila Farmer Producer Company Ltd. in Ichhawar. And in the very first year, we added 1,000 farmer sisters to the company.

Prime Minister: 1,000?

Lakhpati Didi: Yes, Sir.

Prime Minister: In a year?

Lakhpati Didi: Yes, Sir.

Lakhpati Didi: Greetings, Sir. My name is Rabia Bashir. I’m from District Kupwara in Jammu and Kashmir. I run a dairy farming business, and my current annual income is Rs 1.20 lakh. I am a Lakhpati myself, and I have helped 160 members become Lakhpatis as well.

Prime Minister: How many animals do you care for?

Lakhpati Didi: We currently care for 10 animals.

Lakhpati Didi: Jai Johar, Sir. Jai Chhattisgarh.

Prime Minister: Jai Johar.

Lakhpati Didi: Sir, we have an FPO (Farmer Producer Organisation) (inaudible). This project was established by the Government of India. So far, 15,800 sisters, known as Kisan Didis, have joined us. Each sister earns a commission of Rs 50,000- 60,000.

Prime Minister: How many sisters are with you?

Lakhpati Didi: We currently have 100 to 500 women with us.

Prime Minister: Okay.

Lakhpati Didi: I am Drone Didi.

Prime Minister: So everyone in the village must call you Drone Pilot.

Lakhpati Didi: Yes, there are 3 drone pilots in our district, and I’m one of them.

Lakhpati Didi: I have been a member of the SHG Jeevan Swayam Sahayata since 2019. Sir, we have 1,500 women with us.

Prime Minister: 1,500?

Lakhpati Didi: Yes, Sir. I speak Marathi. I can't speak much Hindi, Sir.

Prime Minister: You can speak in Marathi.

Lakhpati Didi: I have Mahua trees in my field. I run a business selling Mahua and also buy Mahua from the women in my group. In just two months, I have earned between Rs 2-2.5 lakh.

Prime Minister: Two lakh rupees?

Lakhpati Didi: Yes.

Prime Minister: And how many women are there in total? Five hundred?

Lakhpati Didi: 538

Lakhpati Didi: Sir, I’m speaking in Marathi.

Prime Minister: Yes, that’s fine.

Lakhpati Didi: I also have a tourism business. I own two tourist boats and take tourists on rides. I went to Kerala and observed their tourism business. Here, we women run this business ourselves. I have been operating my own tourist boat for the last three years and earn between 1-1.5 lakh rupees annually from it.

Prime Minister: Wow!

Lakhpati Didi: All of us women are working together to expand this business.

Lakhpati Didi: I am from Gondia district, from the Salekasa tribal area. I am a tribal woman, and I own an e-rickshaw, which I drive myself. I also use it to buy and sell goods in the village. I earn a profit of Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,000 per month.

Prime Minister: After listening to all of you, I feel that the number of Lakhpati Didis in the country is going to increase significantly. When people read and hear your stories, they will feel inspired. You should share your experiences with others—how it has been, how self-reliant you have become, and how much you can support your entire family. Moreover, your empowerment brings significant changes to the environment around you. Do you know what my goal is? You see, 1 crore Didis have already become Lakhpati Didis, and I aim to make 3 crore Lakhpati Didis. So, you must help explain this to others. Will you do that?

Lakhpati Didi: Yes, Sir.

Prime Minister: Are you sure?

Lakhpati Didi: Yes.

Prime Minister: Well done. Thank you.

DISCLAIMER: This is the approximate translation of PM’s speech. Original speech was delivered in Hindi.

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MJPS/VJ/IG/AK