New Delhi: Union Rural Development and Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan celebrated Raksha Bandhan with Self-Help Group (SHG) and Lakhpati Didis from across the country through a virtual programme organised under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM).
Chouhan said SHGs have become the backbone of rural transformation, with collective efforts, entrepreneurship and determination helping women achieve economic independence and leadership.
He said the government will continue supporting rural women through skill development, affordable credit, digital empowerment, enterprise promotion and better market linkages.
“Your strength is the nation’s strength and your success is India’s success,” Chouhan said, stressing the government’s focus on women-led development.
Over 10 crore rural women linked to SHGs
Lakhpati Didis from Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh tied Rakhi to the Ministers, while thousands of SHG members participated virtually through Village Organisations, Cluster Level Federations and SHGs.
The Ministry said DAY-NRLM has mobilised more than 10 crore rural women into Self-Help Groups, creating one of the world’s largest women-led community networks.
The initiative focuses on financial access, livelihood diversification, digital inclusion and market opportunities to strengthen women-led enterprises and promote sustainable rural livelihoods.
