From Dreams to Reality: Odisha’s Lakhpati Didis Charting New Paths

‘Lakhpati Didi’, India’s flagship initiative aimed at empowering women economically, has become a transformative force in Odisha. The initiative, inspired by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of creating financially independent women entrepreneurs, has witnessed remarkable execution in Odisha under the astute leadership of Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi. Today, Odisha proudly stands second nationally in creating Lakhpati Didis, with over 9.36 lakh women already achieving the landmark of earning Rs.1 lakh or more annually.

One among these inspiring stories is that of Smt. Tilottama Mahanta, a resilient entrepreneur hailing from Dhakotha village in Raghunathpur GP under Sadar Block, Keonjhar district. Tilottama, a determined member of Maa Gayatri SHG, has demonstrated how determination and support can transform economic struggle into remarkable success.

Faced with adversity after the loss of her husband, Tilottama Mahanta single-handedly took up the mantle to financially sustain her family. Her journey, laden with initial struggles, lacked adequate financial resources and technical knowledge. However, her life transformed significantly after joining the Raghunathpur GPLF and Dhakotha CLF. With structured financial support, she secured a bank loan of Rs. 5 lakhs and a Community Investment Fund (CIF) of Rs. 50,000 to initiate diversified livelihood activities.

Today, Tilottama engages in vegetable cultivation, tailoring, and duck farming, showcasing the essence of diversification in rural entrepreneurship. These enterprises have remarkably improved her financial status, generating an annual income of Rs.1.80 lakhs. Her success story resonates across her community, instilling hope and inspiration among fellow SHG members.

This economic independence has profoundly impacted her family. Her two children now pursue higher education, with her daughter enrolled in graduation and her son studying in intermediate. The transformation in Tilottama’s life exemplifies the empowerment envisioned through the Lakhpati Didi initiative.

Odisha Livelihoods Mission (OLM), the implementing agency, has been pivotal in realizing the objectives of this scheme, employing strategic measures including financial inclusion, capacity building, market linkage, and skill enhancement. These targeted interventions have created a thriving environment for women entrepreneurs across Odisha, positioning the state close to national leadership in women empowerment.

The recently concluded Subhadra Shakti Mela played a significant role in amplifying the success of this initiative, providing thousands of SHGs and Producer Groups a valuable platform to showcase products, connect with markets, and improve their entrepreneurial skills. This strategic market exposure has directly contributed to substantial financial growth and brand visibility for Odisha’s women entrepreneurs.

Women like Tilottama Mahanta symbolize the power of grassroots initiatives. Her story is not merely one of financial success but a powerful narrative of social transformation. Empowered women like her are rewriting the socio-economic landscape of Odisha, creating ripples of positive change for generations to come.

As the Lakhpati Didi initiative continues to gain momentum, Odisha’s progress symbolizes the broader empowerment mission. It reaffirms the state government’s unwavering commitment to women’s development and aligns seamlessly with the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s national vision of creating three crore Lakhpati Didis by the end of 2027. Each empowered woman brings Odisha closer to achieving inclusive growth, marking a new era of self-reliance, dignity and prosperity.

Tanuja Mohanty
PRO