https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Maru Udaan: A Flight Towards Women’s Empowerment in Barmer

Can a small-town initiative transform lives across Rajasthan? Discover how 'Maru Udaan' is empowering women through health, skills, and financial independence—one village at a time.
Indian Masterminds Stories

Barmer, Rajasthan—In a district often associated with arid landscapes and socioeconomic challenges, a transformative initiative has taken flight. Under the leadership of IAS Tina Dabi, DM Barmer, and the guidance of Rajendra Singh Chandawat, Additional District Magistrate of Barmer, Maru Udaan has emerged as a comprehensive program empowering women through health, education, and skill development. Launched in November 2024, the initiative’s impact has already rippled across communities, setting the stage for its expansion to the entire state.

In an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds, Mr. Chandawat talked about the same.

A MULTI-FACETED APPROACH TO WOMEN’S ISSUES

At the heart of Maru Udaan lies its 360-degree approach to addressing women’s needs. The initiative covers diverse aspects such as physical and mental health, personal finance management, entrepreneurship, and skill development. Self-defense classes and awareness sessions on cybercrime further equip women to navigate challenges in modern society.

Workshops include unique training on millet cookies, environment conservation, and water and waste management. These activities are conducted at the district and Panchayat Samiti levels, ensuring that even remote villages benefit from the initiative.

“Empowerment isn’t just about providing resources; it’s about instilling confidence and independence in every woman,” Chandawat remarked.

BRINGING CHANGE TO BARMER’S GRASSROOTS

The pilot phase of Maru Udaan was marked by 12 block-level and one district-level dialogues, engaging over 3,000 women. These sessions delved into topics often overlooked in traditional discourse, such as mental health and financial literacy. Specialists addressed small groups of 55-60 women, fostering candid discussions about their concerns.

“This structure enabled women to open up about their challenges without fear of judgment,” Chandawat explained. He noted that the initiative’s design emphasized meaningful interaction over mere participation.

The program also conducted health camps in vulnerable areas, revealing alarming deficiencies in hemoglobin, iron, and calcium levels. Medical experts not only prescribed remedies but also educated women about the importance of balanced diets and regular check-ups.

Tina Dabi

CREATING AMBASSADORS OF CHANGE

Maru Udaan aims to create a sustainable model for empowerment by encouraging participants to become “ambassadors” of the initiative. Women who benefit from the program are encouraged to share their knowledge with others, creating a cascading effect of empowerment throughout their communities.

“We are not just addressing individual issues; we are building a network of informed and empowered women,” said Chandawat.

TACKLING BARMER’S ALARMING TRENDS

Barmer has grappled with a high rate of suicides among women, driven by social and economic stressors. To address this, Maru Udaan integrates psychological counseling, business training, and vocational education into its framework. The program provides participants with tools to overcome domestic challenges and economic dependency, paving the way for a brighter future.

A BROADER VISION FOR RAJASTHAN

The success of Maru Udaan has prompted the Rajasthan government to scale the initiative statewide under the name Rajasthan Maru Udaan. Starting January 9, 2025, the program has been implemented in all districts, supported by departments like Health, Police, Agriculture, and Education. Funding is being drawn from the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Yojana budget, with additional support from CSR partnerships.

VOICES FROM THE COMMUNITY

Women participating in the program have hailed it as a long-overdue effort to address their concerns. “This is the first time someone has asked about our health and taught us how to manage our money,” said a participant from Ramsar. Many women expressed newfound confidence in handling financial matters and pursuing entrepreneurial ventures.

The district-level event in Barmer drew over 600 participants and featured exhibitions by local artisans. Women signed up for upcoming health camps, career counseling sessions, and skill-building workshops.

A MILESTONE IN BARMER’S JOURNEY

With its emphasis on inclusivity and grassroots engagement, Maru Udaan has not only uplifted the women of Barmer but also set a precedent for similar initiatives across Rajasthan. Chandawat believes the program’s real success lies in its ability to inspire women to take charge of their lives

The initiative has proven that even in the harshest of terrains, meaningful change can take root when communities come together with a shared purpose. As Maru Udaan spreads its wings across Rajasthan, it promises to bring countless women closer to their dreams.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
SJVN
Leadership Continuity: Rajendra Prasad Goyal Given Additional Charge as Director (Finance) of SJVN Ltd- Know more about Him
government-of-haryana
Haryana Government Transfers 2 IPS, 13 HPS Officers in Major Police Reshuffle- Check Details
scam
‘Hello, This is IPS Officer Speaking…’: 9th-Pass Youth Tricks Cops in Three States with Fake Voice Scam
Screenshot 2025-07-18 214334
L&T Chairman Mr. S.N. Subrahmanyan’s FY25 Remuneration Jumps Nearly 50% to Rs. 76.25 Crore!
bureaucracy news
Appointments Update: IRS Kommisetty Murlidhar to Join Andhra Govt; Jay Nath Yadav Inducted into IAS
Indian Overseas Bank (IOB)
Indian Overseas Bank Plans Rs. 4,000 Crore Fundraising via QIP; Net Profit Soars 76% in Q1 FY26
Paresh Saxena IPS
IPS Officer Dr Paresh Saxena Protests Empanelment Denial, Returns President’s Distinguished Service Medal
Screenshot 2025-07-18 212145
Chhattisgarh: CM Vishnu Deo Sai Unveils ‘Anjor Vision @ 2047’ - A Bold Roadmap for a Developed Future!
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
promila gupta
The Secret of The Secret – How To Make The Universe Conspire For You
AI 171 CRASH
AAIB Initial Probe In AI-171 Crash Questioned By Aviation Experts
Ravi Kapoor
Why Ex-IRS Officer Ravi Kapoor Walked Away from Power
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Bhavesh Royada
“People often don’t put in the effort required for exams of this level,” Bhavesh Royada
Bhavesh Royada left a stable engineering job to follow his passion for nature. Overcoming failures and...
WhatsApp Image 2025-07-14 at 15.58
The Economist Who Became an IFS Officer
How Abhimanyu Gahlaut balanced global economics and civil services dreams to crack UPSC with AIR 38
Disha Dwivedi UPSC
How Disha Dwivedi Cracked UPSC in Her Sixth Attempt with Unshakable Determination
Disha Dwivedi’s UPSC journey from five prelims failures to securing AIR 672 in 2024 showcases strategic...
Social Media
Screenshot 2025-07-18 203508
Majestic Tiger Rescue and Release in Sundarbans Captivates the Internet: IFS Susanta Nanda Shares Video On X
The video captures the tiger’s strength, agility, and instinct—a breathtaking sight as the big cat slices...
Standing Leopard
Leopard Stuns Internet by Standing on Two Legs Like a Meerkat
A rare video of a leopard standing on two legs in Kruger Park stuns viewers and goes viral across social...
G S Roshni
Kerala’s Fearless Forest Officer G.S. Roshni Rescues 16-Foot King Cobra with Bare Hands, Garners Praise & Critique
Beat Forest Officer G.S. Roshni’s first-ever king cobra rescue goes viral, earning her the title of ‘Green...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
SJVN
Leadership Continuity: Rajendra Prasad Goyal Given Additional Charge as Director (Finance) of SJVN Ltd- Know more about Him
government-of-haryana
Haryana Government Transfers 2 IPS, 13 HPS Officers in Major Police Reshuffle- Check Details
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
promila gupta
AI 171 CRASH
Ravi Kapoor
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT