Trainer Didi and 60 women drive fearlessly day and night, becoming lakhpatis through safe mobility

UP’s environment transformed under CM Yogi’s vision, women empowerment gaining new momentum

Gorakhpur’s Mansha Devi becomes self-reliant, also empowers women from other blocks

By joining a self-help group, Mansha Devi became a ‘Lakhpati Didi’ within a year; will meet PM Modi on January 26

Lucknow, January 2026 : Women empowerment in Uttar Pradesh is no longer just a slogan but a reality. Inspired by the vision of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Mansha Devi from Gorakhpur has not only made herself self-reliant but has also connected more than 60 women with employment and dignified livelihoods. By joining a self-help group, she became a Lakhpati Didi within a year. Now, Mansha Devi will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on January 26. Once struggling with limited income, Mansha Devi today drives fearlessly day and night as an e-rickshaw trainer and is also handing over the key of confidence to other women.

How her life changed direction
After joining a self-help group, Mansha Devi worked as a Group Sakhi, but earlier she did not have any significant source of income. Her life changed after joining the Safe Mobility programme. Today, her monthly income has reached ₹20,000 to ₹30,000, amounting to nearly ₹2.5 to ₹3 lakh annually. The Safe Mobility programme is being run under an agreement between Development Alternatives and the State Rural Livelihood Mission, under the guidance of Mission Director Deepa Ranjan.

Safe transport environment opened new paths for women
Mansha Devi has made more than 60 women from Brahmpur block and other parts of Gorakhpur district self-reliant by providing training in driving, licensing, and entrepreneurship. Strong financial support from government schemes and a secure transport environment have opened new opportunities for women. These women, confidently driving e-rickshaws with self-respect, are a living testimony to the changing socio-economic environment in the state.

Started training other women from her village
There was a time when Mansha Devi had no source of income. Then she came to know about the schemes being run on the instructions of CM Yogi Adityanath. Through the Safe Mobility programme, she now has a stable income. At present, she earns ₹800 to ₹1,000 daily. Mansha Devi also started training other women from her village. Gradually, around 60 women from other blocks of the district were connected with the group and trained. Today, all these women are managing their family responsibilities with a steady income.

Rural women can uplift the entire society
Mansha Devi received financial assistance of ₹1.25 lakh under the Mudra Yojana and ₹1 lakh at the block level, which gave momentum to her work. The 60 other women in her group are now confidently driving e-rickshaws day and night in a safe environment. Through the mobility programme, women’s safety, self-employment, and self-reliance are progressing together. Mansha Devi’s journey from Group Sakhi to e-rickshaw trainer proves that with the right policies, training, and opportunities, rural women can not only empower themselves but also take the entire society forward.