Gandhinagar: Gujarat is witnessing a strong push toward women-led rural development, with the state’s Livelihood Promotion Company identifying 10 lakh potential “Lakhpati Didis”, out of which 5.96 lakh women have already been officially recognised. The initiative is emerging as a key pillar of women’s economic empowerment under the broader vision of a Viksit Bharat.
According to a Gujarat Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) release, the programme is aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of women-led development, supported by major national schemes such as Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, PM Jan Dhan Yojana, Ujjwala Yojana, PM Mudra Yojana, PM Awas Yojana, and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao.
Women-Led Development at the Core of Gujarat’s Rural Strategy
The government stated that these flagship schemes have played a major role in strengthening Nari Shakti by improving access to finance, entrepreneurship opportunities, and livelihood security.
The Lakhpati Didi initiative, implemented under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), aims to ensure that rural women in Self-Help Groups (SHGs) achieve a sustainable annual household income of over ₹1 lakh, enabling financial independence and self-reliance.
Gujarat Identifies 10 Lakh Potential Beneficiaries
Guided by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Gujarat Livelihood Promotion Company has:
- Identified 10 lakh potential Lakhpati Didis
- Recognised 5.96 lakh women so far
- Strengthened SHG-based rural income generation
The state has also appointed 124 Master Trainers at district and taluka levels, trained by National Resource Persons. These trainers have further trained over 10,000 Community Resource Persons (CRPs), including Krishi Sakhis, Pashu Sakhis, and Bank Sakhis, improving grassroots implementation of the programme.
What Is the Lakhpati Didi Scheme?
The Lakhpati Didi Scheme is a rural livelihood initiative under DAY-NRLM, Government of India. It focuses on:
- Providing skill training and financial support
- Offering credit access and market linkages
- Strengthening Self-Help Groups (SHGs)
- Promoting sustainable annual income above ₹1 lakh
Women meeting this income benchmark are recognised as Lakhpati Didis, symbolising financial independence and entrepreneurship in rural India.
Success Story: Bhavnaben Patel Earns ₹10.16 Lakh Annually
One of the notable success stories is Bhavnaben Patel from Nogama village in Chikhli taluka, who has become a Lakhpati Didi earning ₹10.16 lakh per year.
Associated with the Gayatri Sakhi Mandal since 2014, she began her journey through awareness programmes under the National Rural Livelihood Mission. Supported by her Self-Help Group, she diversified into multiple income sources:
- ₹2 lakh from canteen business at Navsari Collector’s Office
- ₹5 lakh from catering services
- ₹1 lakh from agriculture
- ₹2.16 lakh from additional income sources
Bhavnaben has also benefited from government support, including loans and an Ayushman Card. Today, she stands as a role model for rural women pursuing financial independence.
Success Story: Shilpaben Pandya Builds ₹10 Lakh Food Processing Enterprise
Another inspiring example is Shilpaben Pandya from Nenpur village in Kheda district, who earns ₹10 lakh annually through her food processing business.
She is associated with the Shilpa Sakhi Mandal and serves as its president. After receiving financial assistance and training through Rural Self-Employment Training Institutes (R-SETI), she started producing natural fruit-based drinks such as:
- Panchamrut
- Lemon sharbat
- Strawberry sharbat
- Guava sharbat
Her enterprise not only supports her family but also creates employment opportunities for other rural women, strengthening the local economy.
Gujarat Emerging as a Model for Rural Women Empowerment
Officials stated that thousands of women across Gujarat are now part of the Lakhpati Didi movement, gradually achieving higher incomes through diversified livelihoods.
The initiative is being seen as a major driver of:
- Rural economic transformation
- Women entrepreneurship growth
- Financial independence in SHGs
- Contribution to the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat
Strengthening Women-Led Rural Economy
The Gujarat government’s Lakhpati Didi programme continues to expand rapidly, combining financial support, skill development, and institutional training. With nearly 6 lakh women already recognised, the initiative is shaping a strong ecosystem of women entrepreneurs in rural areas and reinforcing India’s broader development goals.
