Lakhpati Didi Initiative: From Bihaan of Kondagaon.

The Lakhpati Didi initiative, launched under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for the economic empowerment of women, is becoming a remarkable medium to make rural women self-reliant. This initiative was started under the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) with the aim of making women self-reliant by connecting them with livelihood activities and increasing their annual income to more than one lakh rupees. This initiative has changed the lives of thousands of women across the country, one of them is Ishwari Markam of Vishampuri in Kondagaon district.

Start your journey by joining the group

Ishwari Markam of Vishampuri in Kondagaon district has become an example for other rural women by joining Bihaan. Ishwari joined the group in 2017 and has strengthened the financial condition of her family by doing small livelihood activities. Ishwari lives in a small family with her husband and two children. Her husband does agriculture work, but he had to face difficulties in meeting the needs of the family and the expenses of the children’s education. To overcome this difficult situation, Ishwari took the help of the women’s self-help group and decided to change her life. Ishwari, while remembering those days, told that at that time our house was running with great difficulty. To meet the needs of the family, we used to collect money for months, only then we were able to meet our small needs. Ishwari told that after joining Bihaan, a confidence has arisen in me, today I am able to put my point in front of everyone.

After joining the group, Ishwari started various livelihood activities using the CIF funds. She is engaged in agriculture work, running a fancy shop and preparing mid-day meals in schools. Apart from this, she is also providing services as BC Sakhi.

Financial condition improved:

Today Ishwari, through her hard work and dedication, earns more than one lakh rupees annually from different sources. Ishwari earns 35 thousand rupees from agriculture, 60 thousand rupees from fancy shop and 24 thousand rupees from the Mid Day Meal Scheme. Besides this, she also receives one thousand rupees every month from the Mahtari Vandan Yojana of the Government of Chhattisgarh. Today, because of all these sources of income, her financial condition has become better than before. Now she does not face any financial constraints for the education of her children and the standard of living of the family has become better than before.

Step towards women empowerment

Ishwari Markam’s success is a big step towards women empowerment. Her success proves that when women get the right opportunities and resources, they can steer their lives towards self-reliance and success. Ishwari says, “Bihan Yojana has given me and many women like me the opportunity to become self-reliant. Now I am able to fulfill the needs of my family and there is no hindrance in the education of my children.” She thanked Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Shri Vishnudev Sai for this initiative, which is empowering and enriching the lives of rural women.