Union Minister for Rural Development, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan welcomed Lakhpati Didis, PMAY-G beneficiaries and Self-Help Group Didis of Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM) from across the country and praised their remarkable contribution at the programme organised on "Samriddh Didi se Samriddh Rashtra | Republic Day Felicitation Ceremony, 2026" at the Bharat Ratna C. Subramaniam Auditorium in Pusa, New Delhi today. Before the commencement of the programme, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, along with Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, initiated the event by planting a tree along with SHG Didis.

 

The Minister felicitated over 400 Lakhpati Didis, PMAY-G beneficiaries and SHG leaders in recognition of their leadership and contribution towards strengthening rural livelihoods, community institutions and inclusive development in pursuit of the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

Delivering the keynote address, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan reaffirmed that Republic Day is a celebration of the people and the inspiring journeys of Lakhpati Didis from Self Help Groups. He welcomed SHG women from across the country and appreciated their confidence, leadership and efforts in empowering other women. Highlighting that a prosperous nation is built on prosperous women, he underscored the transformative role of DAY–NRLM in enabling access to credit, livelihoods and collective empowerment, and stated that India is progressing from over 2 crore towards 3 crore Lakhpati Didis.

He emphasised gender equality, social change and the need to challenge discriminatory norms, citing initiatives such as “Ladli Lakshmi Yojana” and “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao”. He encouraged SHG networks to strengthen last-mile delivery of government schemes, expand livelihoods, promote organic farming and market linkages. He shared that focused efforts will be made to enable individuals to access individual bank linkages, promoting entrepreneurship and self-reliance. He encouraged broader social and political transformation, urging women of SHGs to step forward and strengthen their participation in grassroots political leadership. Reaffirming that women are equal partners in nation-building, he called for collective efforts towards women-led rural development and led a pledge to work towards social transformation.

In his address, Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications, stated that women play a pivotal role in nation-building and that women’s empowerment is a national priority. Sharing about his experience at SARAS Mela in Guntur, he highlighted the transformative work and entrepreneurial spirit of SHG women. He emphasised that women today are not only beneficiaries but key contributors to the economy, with one in four MSMEs being women-led. He underscored the role of DAY–NRLM in creating market linkages, including through popular e-commerce platforms and highlighted that rural women are increasingly participating in value chains and using digital tools to connect with markets.

Shri Shailesh Kumar Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development, stated that the programme reflected constitutional values and the aspiration for every woman to achieve her full potential. He highlighted that SHG women have moved beyond savings and credit to livelihoods, leadership and social change through DAY–NRLM platforms, and emphasised that India’s progress is linked with the progress of its Didis. He thanked the SHG women and their spouses for representing rural India.

During the event, the Special Guests, Lakhpati Didis, PMAY-G beneficiaries and SHG leaders marked 150 years of Vande Mataram by singing the National Song in unison. The collective rendition reflected deep pride, unity and reverence for the song that played a defining role in India’s freedom movement and continues to inspire generations with the spirit of national pride and collective resolve.

Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, along with Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani interacted with SHG women from across the country, celebrating their role in nation-building and rural transformation. The Didis shared diverse journeys in food processing, printing, beauty services, banking, agriculture, livestock, weaving, retail and non-traditional enterprises such as JCB operations, highlighting access to credit, digital banking, market linkages and leadership roles in SHG federations. Their stories reflected increased incomes, financial independence, social mobility and community leadership under DAY–NRLM. Lakhpati Didis, PMAY-G beneficiaries and SHG leaders were also felicitated for their contribution to strengthening rural livelihoods, institutions and inclusive development towards the vision of Viksit Bharat.

Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister of Rural Development and Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, inaugurated 199 Community Managed Training Centres (CMTCs) across the country. The inauguration underscored the Government’s commitment to promoting continuous learning, expanding the participation of women, and strengthening skill development at the grassroots level. The CMTCs will serve as community-led platforms to build capacities, enhance livelihoods, and further strengthen women-led community institutions under the rural development framework.

The event concluded on a celebratory note with a grand luncheon hosted by the Minister for Rural Development in honour of the Special Guests from across the country.

As part of the Republic Day 2026 celebrations, the Ministry of Rural Development, in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence, is facilitating the participation of over 400 Nation’s Special Guests under DAY–NRLM and PMAY–G, including women SHG members, PMAY–G beneficiaries and Lakhpati Didis with their spouses.

On 26 January 2026, the Special Guests will attend the Republic Day Parade at Kartavya Path, New Delhi, followed by heritage visits to Qutub Minar, Sunder Nursery and Humayun’s Tomb on 27 January 2026. The programme echoed the collective commitment to honour constitutional values and build a prosperous, resilient and Viksit Bharat.

 

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