Presenter – Now, the selected beneficiaries of the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana (Chief Minister’s Women Employment Scheme) will share their experiences. First, I would like to request Ranjita Kaji Didi from West Champaran district to share her experience.

Beneficiary (Ranjita Kaji) – My respectful greetings to the Hon’ble Prime Minister Bhaiya and the Hon’ble Chief Minister Bhaiya. My name is Ranjita Kaji. I belong to Valmiki forest area, Bagaha-2 block of West Champaran district. I am from the tribal community and associated with Jeevika Self-Help Group. Our area is a jungle region. I had never imagined that our area would ever have facilities like roads, electricity, water, toilets, and education. But today, all these facilities are available. For this, I extend my heartfelt gratitude and thanks to the Hon’ble Chief Minister Bhaiya. You have done many things for women like us. You made provisions for reservation for women, because of which today we see many more women in government jobs and Panchayati Raj institutions. You had already implemented the cycle scheme and uniform scheme. It feels so good to see girls going to school wearing uniforms and riding bicycles. Hon’ble Prime Minister Bhaiya, under the Ujjwala scheme that you implemented, women are now getting gas cylinders at low cost. Because of this, our women no longer have to cook in smoke. You have taken care of their health. With your blessings, today we are living in permanent houses due to the Awas Yojana. Hon’ble Chief Minister Bhaiya, recently you provided 125 units of free electricity and increased the pension from 400 to 1100 rupees. This has further boosted the confidence of women. The amount of two lakh and ten thousand rupees being transferred into women’s accounts under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana is making us very happy, and I too am very happy. When the 10,000 rupees comes into my account, I will buy a pump set with it, because I am connected to agriculture. I will cultivate jowar and bajra. After that, when the 2 lakh rupees comes into our account, I will start a business of flour made from jowar and bajra. This will also promote the idea of swadeshi (local self-reliance). If your support continues like this, then our employment will increase, we will progress, and we will become ‘Lakhpati Didis’. Our sisters are very happy at this time. Along with the Navratri festival, they are also celebrating the Hon’ble Mukhyamantri Rojgar Yojana as a festival. On behalf of all the sisters of West Champaran, I extend my heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the Hon’ble Prime Minister Bhaiya and the Hon’ble Chief Minister Bhaiya. Thank you.

Presenter – Thank you, Didi. Now I would like to request Rita Devi Didi from Bhojpur district to share her experience.

Beneficiary (Rita Devi)– I offer my respectful greetings on behalf of the entire Ara district to the Hon’ble Prime Minister Bhaiya and Hon’ble Chief Minister Bhaiya. My name is Rita Devi Hate. I am from Mohammadpur village, Daulatpur Panchayat, Koila Police Station, in Ara district. In 2015, I became a member of a Self-Help Group. After becoming a member, I bought four goats with the first instalment of 5,000 rupees and started my livelihood through goat-rearing. From the income I earned, I bought 50 chickens and started an egg business as well. We also sold eggs for Rs. 15 and the eggs We started raising our chicks in a fish box with lights to hatch chicks and this improved my family’s financial situation a lot. Bhaiya, I even became a Lakhpati Didi and also a Drone Didi. My development has been remarkable. Once again, on behalf of the women of Ara district, I wholeheartedly thank the Hon’ble Prime Minister Bhaiya and Hon’ble Chief Minister Bhaiya. Since the launch of the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana, there has been a lot of enthusiasm in the villages and localities. The women are overjoyed. Some Didis are saying, we invested in cows, some in goats, some opened bangles shops. As for me, when the first instalment of 10,000 rupees came, I bought 100 more chickens, because in the winter season, the demand for eggs increases. So I started my poultry business by buying 100 more chickens. When the 2 lakh rupees comes, I will set up a poultry farm with machines, expand my business, and strengthen my livelihood. Government schemes have changed our lives, Bhaiya. For example, earlier we lived in mud houses, which leaked during the rains, but now our whole village has permanent houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, and all the Didis are living happily in their homes. If we talk about toilets then earlier we felt so embarrassed to go to the fields for defecation, but now every house in the village has a toilet, no woman needs to go outside. Since the Nal se Jal scheme began, we are getting pure drinking water in the village, and it has freed us from many diseases, Bhaiya, because we started getting pure drinking water. Since we got a gas connection under the Ujjwala Gas Scheme, we have left the smoky chulha to cook food. Earlier, smoke from the stove caused eye irritation. Now we cook on gas and are very happy. Through the Ayushman Health Card, we are getting free treatment up to 5 lakh rupees. Not a single rupee is spent. Treatment worth up to 5 lakh rupees is completely free. Since we started getting 125 units of free electricity, now there is light everywhere. Earlier evenings used to be dark. Earlier we used to tell children to switch off the light quickly, but now they can study comfortably without worry. They study happily under the light. And the most important thing is that when women benefit from these schemes, their children also benefit. Earlier, Didis had to walk long distances, but now their children have been given bicycles for school. The children ride their bicycles, wearing uniforms. When all the children, dressed in the same uniform, cycle together on the road, it looks wonderful. Importantly, Bhaiya, I myself received a bicycle and a uniform when I was in school. Wearing my uniform and riding my cycle to school was a special experience. That’s why, on behalf of the entire Ara district, on behalf of all the sisters and women, I extend heartfelt thanks and blessings to the Hon’ble Prime Minister Bhaiya and Nitish Bhaiya. (Disclaimer – Beneficiary Rita Devi from Ara district expressed her views in the local dialect which has now been rendered into English.)

Prime Minister– Rita Didi, you speak very fast! And you mentioned the names of all the schemes as well. You speak very well, you explained everything very nicely. How much have you studied, Rita Didi?

Beneficiary (Rita Devi) – Bhaiya, after joining Jeevika (Self-Help Group), I started studying. I completed my matriculation, then intermediate, then did my B.A. Now I have taken admission in M.A.

Prime Minister – Oh, wonderful!

Beneficiary (Rita Devi) – Now I am studying through Jeevika. Bhaiya, earlier I was not educated.

Prime Minister – Alright, many many best wishes to you!

Beneficiary (Rita Devi) – Bhaiya, many blessings to you on behalf of all the Didis.

Presenter – Thank you, Rita Devi Didi. Now I would like to invite Noorjahan Khatoon Didi from Gaya district to share her experience.

Beneficiary (Noorjahan Khatoon) – My respectful greetings to the Hon’ble Prime Minister Bhaiya and to the Hon’ble Chief Minister Bhaiya. My name is Noorjahan Khatoon. I am a resident of Jhikatia village, Jhikatia block, Bodh Gaya, in Gaya district. I am the president of Gulab Ji Vikas Self-Help Group. First of all, when we heard that we would be receiving the first instalment of 10,000 rupees for livelihood, everyone was so happy. There is excitement in the houses, the neighbourhoods, and the entire village. Women are sitting together and discussing that now they will be able to take up the work they truly desire. A joyous atmosphere can be seen everywhere. When I receive the first instalment of 10,000rupees, I plan to build a large counter in my tailoring shop. I will display goods there and sell them. I already run a tailoring shop. Earlier, my husband used to do tailoring work outside, but now I have brought him back, and together as husband and wife, we run the shop. I have also given employment to 10 people. Looking ahead, if I receive the 2 lakh rupee instalment, I will expand my business further, buy more machines, and employ 10 more people. Our Chief Minister Bhaiya has always remembered us women and continues to make efforts to help us progress. There is also an important issue I want to talk about. Earlier, we used lanterns and oil lamps in our kitchens. But since 125 units of electricity have been made free, I haven’t received a bill till now. The money saved from that is spent on tuition fees and children’s education. Earlier, even the poorest women avoided taking electricity connections due to the bill burden. Today, I feel that 100% of households, even the poorest, have electricity connections, and their children now study at night under the light of bulbs. Bhaiya, in the past, when we had no self-help group, we rarely stepped outside our homes. When we first began stepping out for group activities, we were scolded and even faced beatings from husbands. Out of fear, we didn’t go out much. But today, if anyone, any gentleman or visitor, comes to our house, our husbands or family members are the first to tell us: “Go outside, someone has come to meet you.” Now, when we step out, our families are happy and proud that their women are active outside and working in livelihoods. I also feel joy in this work as I am being able to create employment and give training to others. My husband is an all-round tailor master. Bhaiya, earlier, I considered my husband the real asset of our household. But today, even my husband considers me a Lakhpati and says that the real wealth of our home is me. Bhaiya, we have risen out of deep poverty. We used to live in thatched huts, but today we live happily, as if in a palace. On behalf of all the women of Gaya district, I offer heartfelt prayers and blessings to my Prime Minister Bhaiya and Chief Minister Bhaiya. I thank you sincerely.

Prime Minister – Noorjahan Didi, you explained everything so wonderfully. I want you to do one thing for me.

Beneficiary (Noorjahan Khatoon)– Yes, of course.

Prime Minister – You explain things so well. If you could spare one day in a week and go to different areas or villages, gather 50–100 Didis and explain these things to them, it would be a great inspiration for their lives too. Because you are speaking entirely from your own experience, from the heart, and even sharing your household journey. I believe that when our mothers and sisters listen to you, they will feel deeply motivated. You have spoken in a very fine manner. Many congratulations to you, and thank you very much.

Beneficiary (Noorjahan Khatoon)– Yes, Bhaiya, I will definitely explain to them.

Presenter – Thank you, Didi. Now, finally, I would like to invite Putul Devi Didi from Purnia district to share her experience.

Beneficiary (Putul Devi)– My respectful greetings to the Hon’ble Prime Minister ji and the Hon’ble Chief Minister ji. My name is Putul Devi. I am from Bhawanipur, and I am the secretary of the Muskaan Self-Help Group. Today I feel very happy that the amount of 10,000 rupees is being given under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana. Earlier I used to run a shop selling laddus and batashe (traditional sweets). Now I will also prepare tikki, balushahi, jalebi, and barfi. By working harder, I will also obtain the 2 lakh rupee assistance, with which I will expand my shop and hire more staff. Also, with the Jeevika Bank that you started, I will take loans at low interest rates and strengthen my financial situation. By supporting the Hon’ble Prime Minister ji’s call for swadeshi, I will also strengthen the nation. I am very happy that my mother-in-law’s pension has been increased from 400 rupees to 1100 rupees, and with 125 units of free electricity, I can save more and educate my child further. On behalf of the entire residents of Purnia district, I express my heartfelt gratitude to the Hon’ble Prime Minister ji and the Hon’ble Chief Minister ji for bringing such a scheme that has filled our homes with happiness. I bow to you with all my heart. Thank you.

Prime Minister – Putul ji, Putul Didi, since you started your own business, you must have faced some difficulties in the beginning from your family, from neighbours saying things, from villagers discouraging you about sitting at the shop.

Beneficiary (Putul Devi) – Yes, Sir. Everyone laughed at my work, but I did not give up. With my determination, I started small by making laddus and batashe. When I joined Jeevika, I took a loan. Sir, I didn’t even have a house then, but with that I built my home and I am also educating my child. Today my child is pursuing B.Tech in Katihar. He secured admission on his own merit in a government institution.

Prime Minister – Oh, that’s wonderful, Putul Devi ji. You mentioned jalebi. Do you know, at one time in our country there used to be a lot of politics over jalebi?

Beneficiary (Putul Devi) – Yes, yes.

Prime Minister – Alright then, thank you very much.

Presenter – Thank you, Didi. Now I would like to request the Hon’ble Prime Minister ji to kindly press the remote button to transfer an amount of 7,500 crore rupees under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana, benefiting 75 lakh women beneficiaries at the rate of 10,000 rupees each.

***

MJPS/ST/VK