TFP Bureau, Raipur, July 15, 2025: Enu, a young woman from the remote village of Umarda in Chhattisgarh’s Dhamtari district, has earned national recognition as “Scooty Didi,” a symbol of women’s empowerment and grassroots self-reliance. Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai praised her remarkable journey, calling her a true embodiment of Atmanirbhar Bharat and a beacon of change in rural India.
“Daughters of Chhattisgarh are no longer just beneficiaries of schemes—they are becoming leaders of social transformation,” said CM Sai, hailing Enu’s courage, determination, and the inspiration she offers to others.
Born into a modest household, Enu overcame social and financial barriers to earn a postgraduate degree in Economics. After joining the Chhattisgarh State Rural Livelihood Mission (Bihan), she received training in tailoring and embroidery, took a loan of ₹1 lakh, and repaid it with discipline. Her life changed further when she learned to ride a scooter with help from the Pratham Foundation, enabling her to travel independently and mentor women in nearby villages.
Despite early ridicule, Enu remained undeterred. As she travelled from village to village to support rural women, locals began affectionately calling her “Scooty Didi.” In 2023, she established a Women’s Two-Wheeler Training Centre in her village. What began with just two or three women has now trained over 30, empowering them to independently commute to anganwadis, banks, schools, and health centres.
Her initiative has sparked a shift in mindset—families now send their daughters and daughters-in-law for training. Enu’s vision is to train 1,000 women and launch a four-wheeler driving school in the near future.
Beyond mobility, Enu has also trained rural women in tailoring, embroidery, LED assembly, household budgeting, and even MGNREGA work. Her work has drawn the attention of the central government. Smt. Swati Sharma, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Rural Development, and Dhamtari Collector Shri Avinash Mishra visited Umarda village to meet and commend her.
The Ministry of Rural Development shared her story on its official Facebook page, stating: “She lacked resources, but no one could shake her resolve.” The post highlighted her journey from an MA graduate to a community leader, trained under ‘Bihan’ and Pratham Foundation, becoming both self-reliant and a source of inspiration.
CM Vishnu Deo Sai reaffirmed the state’s support for such initiatives. “People like Enu are redefining Chhattisgarh’s identity. Our government is committed to promoting grassroots leadership through programs like Bihan, which are changing lives on the ground,” he said.
Enu’s journey is more than a personal triumph—it is a movement in the making, signaling a transformative era for women in rural India.
