Chhattisgarh is witnessing a silent revolution—led by its rural women. With targeted digital training and strong institutional support, women under the Bihan Mission are transforming from self-help group members to empowered entrepreneurs now reaching global markets. This transformative shift was the highlight of a special training program held in Raipur, where Chief Minister Mr. Vishnu Deo Sai addressed over a thousand “Bihan Didis” and shared the government’s roadmap for women-led development.
Digital Tools + Determination = Global Reach
Chief Minister Mr. Sai underscored how technology is breaking barriers for women in rural areas. “Today, a woman from a village can sell her product to the world with a few clicks. This is the power of digital empowerment,” he stated. The state government, in partnership with the Panchayat and Rural Development Department, is providing structured digital training programs to enhance the marketing, branding, and online selling capabilities of self-help groups.
These steps are aligned with the Centre’s broader vision to make 3 crore women self-reliant nationwide by 2027, with 8 lakh women targeted in Chhattisgarh alone.
Bihan Didis: From Self-Help to Self-Reliance
The event showcased inspiring stories from grassroots women who have broken economic barriers:
- Ms. Poonam Gupta, from Tarkeshwarpur (Balrampur), leveraged SHG support to launch a grocery store, install a flour mill, and eventually scale her business with a pickup truck and tractor.
- Ms. Hemin Sahu from Gariaband, once unable to afford basic vegetables, now runs a successful pickle and papad business earning Rs. 4,000 per day. She recorded sales of Rs. 2.31 lakh at the Saras Mela in Delhi.
- Ms. Geeta Vaishnav, emotionally recalling her hardships, is now building a future for her son through her SHG-led food enterprise.
- Ms. Geeta Verma from Raipur earns Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 20,000 monthly through her turmeric and spice business, fulfilling her dream of financial independence.
Women at the Heart of Development
Chief Minister Sai noted that the festival of Navratri, which celebrates feminine power, is symbolic of this cultural and economic shift. “Where women are respected, prosperity follows,” he remarked. Programs like the Mahatari Vandan Yojana have strengthened the economic backbone of rural women, and innovative initiatives like “Jashpure”—a Mahua-based product brand from Jashpur district—have gained national recognition.
The state government’s goal is clear: provide all possible support, infrastructure, and training to turn rural women into brand ambassadors of self-reliance.
Bureaucratic Backbone Behind the Success
The success of the Bihan Mission is being driven by integrated efforts from the Panchayat and Rural Development Department, in coordination with district-level administration, microfinance institutions, and digital literacy partners. The focus is not only on economic empowerment but also on financial inclusion, capacity building, and market linkage development.
Through consistent follow-ups, access to working capital, and regular training, the initiative is institutionalizing women’s entrepreneurship as a pillar of rural development.
