Navsari, Gujarat: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Gujarat on March 7-8, with a significant stop in Navsari on March 8 to attend the ‘Lakhpati Didi Sammelan’ in honor of International Women’s Day. The event, taking place in Vansi-Borsi, will see PM Modi distribute over ₹450 crore in financial aid to more than 2.5 lakh women from over 25,000 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) across the state.
The ‘Lakhpati Didi Yojana’ was launched by PM Modi on August 15, 2023, to promote financial empowerment and entrepreneurship among women. Under this initiative, women who earn at least ₹10,000 per month—equating to an annual income of at least ₹1 lakh—through small businesses, agriculture, and animal husbandry, are designated as ‘Lakhpati Didis.’ Thanks to the efforts of Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, nearly 1.5 lakh women in the state have already reached this milestone.
During the Sammelan, approximately one lakh women from Navsari, Valsad, and Dang districts will participate, primarily comprising SHG members who have either achieved or aspire to attain ‘Lakhpati Didi’ status. The Prime Minister will personally interact with ten selected ‘Lakhpati Didis’ and present certificates to five of them. A documentary showcasing the progress of the Lakhpati Didi Scheme in Gujarat will also be screened. Additionally, two key state-level initiatives aimed at women’s economic empowerment will be launched.
Launch of G-SAFAL and G-MAITRI Initiatives
On March 8, PM Modi will introduce the Gujarat Scheme for Antyodaya Families for Augmenting Livelihoods (G-SAFAL). This initiative is designed to improve the economic self-sufficiency and living standards of Antyodaya women. Over the next five years, the program will benefit 50,000 Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) cardholder households across two aspirational districts and 13 talukas in Gujarat. Women from SHGs in these households will receive financial support and entrepreneurship training. Each participant will be provided with vocational training and financial assistance of ₹1 lakh. In total, ₹500 crore will be allocated to support 50,000 women through this program, with weekly coaching and mentorship sessions conducted by field coaches assigned to small groups of participants.
Additionally, PM Modi will unveil the Gujarat Mentorship and Acceleration of Individuals for Transforming Rural Income (G-MAITRI) initiative to foster rural entrepreneurship and support startups focused on rural development. The program, backed by the Gujarat Social Enterprise Fund (G-SEF), aims to empower 10 lakh young entrepreneurs and women by offering financial assistance and business opportunities.
Under this initiative, over ₹50 crore will be allocated over the next five years to promote social enterprises focused on rural growth. More than 150 startups will receive support through seed and scale funding programs. Seed-stage startups will be eligible for ₹20 lakh grants, while scale-stage enterprises can receive up to ₹30 lakh in funding. The initiative will also include workshops and training programs to strengthen the rural startup ecosystem.
PM Modi and CM Bhupendra Patel’s visit underscores their commitment to ‘Women-Led Development,’ highlighting the government’s dedication to women’s economic empowerment. By providing financial aid and launching impactful initiatives, the leadership aims to enhance self-reliance and entrepreneurship among women in Gujarat, fostering sustainable growth and development in rural areas.
