Lucknow, October 2026 : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday paid obeisance to Goddess Kushmanda on the fourth day of Sharadiya Navratri, describing her as an eternal symbol of creation, energy and prosperity.
Extending his message to the people of the state, the Chief Minister said that when women receive strength and opportunities, deprivation gives way to hard work, hard work leads to self-reliance, and self-reliance ultimately creates prosperity.
Women Had Few Opportunities Before 2017: Yogi
In a post on X, Yogi Adityanath said women in Uttar Pradesh were no longer merely beneficiaries of development schemes but were emerging as creators of the rural economy and architects of New India.
He alleged that before 2017, women lacked opportunities and resources, while the government lacked both the policies and the commitment needed to empower them.
Double-Engine Government Creating New Pathways to Self-Reliance
The Chief Minister said that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the state's double-engine government was connecting rural women with new avenues of economic independence.
He highlighted several initiatives aimed at strengthening women's participation in the rural economy.
Banking Correspondents (BC) Sakhis, he said, were establishing a strong network of banking services in villages and improving access to financial services for rural communities.
The Lakhpati Didi initiative has emerged as a new symbol of women's economic self-reliance, enabling them to strengthen their livelihoods and financial independence.
Similarly, Drone Didis are taking the lead in introducing modern technology into agriculture, helping bring technological advancement to farming practices.
The Chief Minister also emphasised the role of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) in expanding livelihood opportunities, entrepreneurship and agriculture-based employment for rural women.
According to him, these initiatives are creating avenues for women to participate more actively in economic activities and contribute to the development of their communities.
Women Leading the Development Journey of New Uttar Pradesh
Yogi Adityanath said women were increasingly moving beyond their traditional role as the foundation of family prosperity to become drivers of village economies and leaders of Uttar Pradesh's development journey.
He stressed that the state's overall progress was closely linked to the economic empowerment of women in rural areas.
"When women in villages prosper, Uttar Pradesh will truly become prosperous and empowered," the Chief Minister said in his message.
He added that initiatives promoting financial inclusion, entrepreneurship, modern agricultural practices and employment opportunities were helping rural women move towards greater self-reliance and play a more significant role in shaping the state's future.
