Overview
On November 5, 2025, the Vice-President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, attended the 'Lakhpati Didi Sammelan' in Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh. He praised the 'Lakhpati Didi' initiative as a model for women-led development and the strengthening of grassroots democracy. The Vice-President also acknowledged Chhattisgarh’s progress in various sectors, including power generation, healthcare, and curbing Naxalism.
Key Developments
Lakhpati Didi Initiative
- Vision: The initiative, championed by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, aims to create 3 crore 'Lakhpati Didis' across India.
- Impact: Over 2 crore women nationwide and 5 lakh women in Chhattisgarh have achieved financial independence through self-help groups and income-generating activities.
- Financial Assistance: In Rajnandgaon, over 1 lakh women are connected through 9,663 Self-Help Groups, facilitated by more than ₹700 crore in financial assistance.
- Mahila Samman Yojana: The state government has directly transferred over ₹13,000 crore under the Mahila Samman Yojana to empower women beneficiaries across 20 installments.
Grassroots Democracy
- Women's Leadership: Over 1,000 women serve in local self-governance roles in Rajnandgaon as Panch, Sarpanch, Janpad, and Zila Panchayat members.
- Decentralization: Democracy thrives in gram sabhas, panchayats, and self-help groups, ensuring participation, transparency, and local empowerment.
Chhattisgarh's Progress
- Power Sector: Chhattisgarh has transformed from a state facing power scarcity to one that produces electricity for the entire country.
- Healthcare: Significant improvements have been made in healthcare, including cataract-free initiatives and the implementation of Ayushman Bharat.
- Naxalism: Successful efforts to eliminate the Naxal problem from the region are attributed to the collaborative vision of the central and state governments, and security forces.
Other Initiatives
- Udayachal Health and Research Institute: The Vice-President inaugurated a new five-storey facility at this institute, which plays a pivotal role in making Chhattisgarh cataract-free.
- National Netra Jyoti Abhiyan: The Vice-President underscored the national progress towards Cataract-Free Bharat through this Abhiyan.
UPSC Relevance
This news article is relevant to the UPSC Civil Services Exam as it touches upon several important themes:
- GS1: Social empowerment, particularly women's empowerment through self-help groups.
- GS2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors, including women and healthcare.
- GS3: Inclusive growth and the role of government schemes in poverty reduction and economic development.
Important Facts
- The 'Lakhpati Didi' initiative aims to create financially independent women through self-help groups.
- Chhattisgarh has made significant progress in power generation, healthcare, and curbing Naxalism.
- The state government's Mahila Samman Yojana has empowered women beneficiaries through direct financial transfers.
- Grassroots democracy is strengthened through the participation of women in local self-governance.
- Chhattisgarh's creation on November 1, 2000, fulfilled the vision of former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee.