Special Presence of Maharashtra’s ‘Lakhpati Didis’ and Women from Self-Help Groups at Independence Day Events – Anjana Kumbhar Invited to Rashtrapati Bhavan

New Delhi, Aug 2025– Twenty women from Maharashtra, including ‘Lakhpati Didis,’ leaders of self-help groups, and winners of the Self-Reliant Cluster Level Federation (CLF) awards, will participate in the Independence Day flag-hoisting ceremony at the Red Fort in Delhi.

Today, a few representatives from these groups met with Resident Commissioner and Secretary R. Vimala at Maharashtra Sadan, Kasturba Gandhi Marg, and presented her with handicrafts, food items, and local products as gifts.

For this year’s Independence Day celebrations, Anjana Shankar Kumbhar, a woman entrepreneur from Parali (Satara district), has received a special invitation to the reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Additionally, Lakhpati Didis and self-help group members from Satara, along with CLF award winners from Bhandara and Ratnagiri districts, have been invited to attend the Red Fort ceremony.

The list includes:

• From Satara: Mrs. Rupali Satyawan Jadhav (Karandwadi), Mrs. Jayashree Shivaji Jambhode (Naigaon), Mrs. Shaila Sharad Pawar (Dhondewadi), Mrs. Vaishali Rajesh Dharme (Rethare Budruk), Mrs. Swapnali Jitendra Jadhav (Jamb Khurd), Mrs. Suvarna Pandurang Deshmukh (Kapil), Mrs. Mangal Suresh Mardhekar (Kudal), Mrs. Rubina Nasaruddin Mulani (Kullaljai), Ms. Mangal Dadaso Hajare (Koparde Haveli), Ms. Shobha Vijay Ranjane (Dapwadi), Mrs. Chhaya Ajit Kadam (Arale), Mrs. Ashwini Sandeep Kadam (Arale), Mrs. Bhagyashree Mandar Jadhav (Ozarde), Mrs. Saraswati Suresh Nikam (Mumgasewadi), Mrs. Sujata Chandrakant Mahangade (Parkhandi)
• From Bhandara: Mrs. Usha Raju Kawale, Mrs. Rekha Sudhir Chachane
• From Ratnagiri: Mrs. Asha Sambhaji Jadhav, Mrs. Pragya Pramod Surve

Appreciation from Resident Commissioner
R. Vimala congratulated the women for their achievements and prestigious invitations, saying, “Lakhpati Didis have made significant contributions to rural India’s progress through their hard work and skills. Inviting Anjana Kumbhar to Rashtrapati Bhavan and the others to the Red Fort is a tribute to their success and to the nation’s empowerment mission. Maharashtra Sadan will fully support them in their journey.”

Vimala also recalled working for four years as CEO of the ‘UMED’ campaign, during which nearly 5 lakh self-help groups were formed, connecting 50 lakh women, with 18 lakh emerging as farmers and entrepreneurs. She expressed joy at seeing the results of these efforts.

Support for Market Access
Satara Zilla Parishad CEO Yashini Nagrajan submitted a request for market access and participation opportunities at exhibitions. Vimala responded positively, assuring full support to help these women showcase their products nationally, noting that such opportunities would boost rural entrepreneurship and women’s empowerment.

Inspiring Success Story
Anjana Shankar Kumbhar from Parali has modernized her traditional pottery business, producing elegant clay items, Ganesh idols, terracotta art, utensils, and toys. Under the ‘UMED’ scheme, she formed the ‘Jai Sadguru Krupa’ self-help group of 12 women. About 18 months ago, they took a ₹6 lakh loan, expanded their business, and gained recognition in markets in Pune, Mumbai, Patan, and Satara. Her success has reached the attention of President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, earning her the special Rashtrapati Bhavan invitation. She will attend with her husband.