‘Nari Shakti Samman Samaroh’ honours women achievers; over 13.85 lakh women become ‘Lakhpati Didis’, 481 Mahtari Sadans under construction
Raipur, August 30, 2026: Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Sunday said that the progress of Chhattisgarh is intrinsically linked to the respect, safety, equal opportunities and economic self-reliance of its women, asserting that empowering women remains one of the state government’s foremost priorities.
Addressing the ‘Nari Shakti Samman Samaroh’ organised by the Chhattisgarh State Commission for Women at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Auditorium here, Sai said the government was committed to creating an environment in which every daughter could pursue her aspirations with confidence and every woman could live with dignity and self-respect.
The Chief Minister honoured women who have made notable contributions in diverse fields, including medicine, education, sports, cyber security, journalism, art and culture, agriculture, entrepreneurship, social service and women’s safety. He also released a brochure based on the programme.
Honourees an inspiration for young women
Congratulating the awardees, Sai said their achievements were the result of hard work, talent, courage and determination and had significance beyond personal success.
“These women are an inspiration for thousands of daughters who are stepping forward to realise their dreams,” he said, adding that women were today making their mark in virtually every sector, from agriculture and entrepreneurship to education, sports, social service and technology.
Referring to India’s cultural traditions, the Chief Minister said women have traditionally been accorded a position of great respect and dignity. He said the state government was seeking to translate these values into concrete policies and welfare initiatives.
Women’s Commission must strengthen justice and awareness
Congratulating newly appointed Chhattisgarh State Commission for Women Chairperson Dr Mamta Sahu, Sai said she had been entrusted with an important and sensitive responsibility.
He expressed confidence that under her leadership, the Commission would work effectively to protect women’s rights, provide legal assistance and ensure justice for women facing difficulties.
The Chief Minister said the Commission’s role should extend beyond addressing complaints. It should reach villages, towns and remote and tribal areas to create awareness among women about their constitutional and legal rights.
Mahtari Vandan strengthens women’s confidence
Sai said economic independence was one of the strongest foundations of women’s empowerment. Under the Mahtari Vandan Yojana, more than 68 lakh women in Chhattisgarh are receiving financial assistance of ₹1,000 per month, with 31 instalments already credited to beneficiaries.
He said the assistance had become an important source of confidence and financial independence for women, who were using the money for household needs, children’s education, healthcare and self-employment activities.
The government also ensured that assistance was transferred ahead of schedule before major festivals such as Raksha Bandhan, he added.
13.85 lakh women become ‘Lakhpati Didis’
The Chief Minister said women associated with self-help groups were creating new avenues of livelihood and entrepreneurship across the state.
More than 13.85 lakh women have now become ‘Lakhpati Didis’, he said, describing the achievement as an indication of the economic transformation taking place in thousands of families.
Women are increasingly moving beyond traditional activities such as tailoring, embroidery, agriculture and forest-produce-based enterprises into areas such as small industries and drone operations, Sai said.
The government, he added, was working to connect more women with skills, capital, markets and technology to expand their entrepreneurial opportunities.
2026 declared ‘Mahtari Gaurav Varsh’
Sai said the state government had declared 2026 as ‘Mahtari Gaurav Varsh’, dedicated to recognising the contribution of women and creating new opportunities for their advancement.
He highlighted initiatives such as the Saraswati Cycle Yojana to promote girls’ education and the ‘Meri Beti, Mera Abhiman’ initiative, under which approval has been given for construction of 6,671 girls’ toilets across the state.
The government is also constructing 481 ‘Mahtari Sadans’ to provide facilities for training, meetings and economic activities of women’s self-help groups. He said three such facilities were recently inaugurated during his visit to Jashpur.
The ‘Ready-to-Eat’ programme is also being operated through women’s self-help groups, providing additional livelihood opportunities, he added.
Property ownership among women encouraged
Sai said the government was encouraging registration of land and property in women’s names to strengthen their economic rights and decision-making capacity within families.
He said ownership of property provides women with greater economic security and that government concessions for registration in women’s names were producing positive results.
The Chief Minister stressed that women’s empowerment could not be achieved through government schemes alone and required a broader transformation in social attitudes and institutions.
“When a daughter is educated, an entire generation becomes educated, and when a woman becomes self-reliant, the entire family moves forward with confidence,” Sai said.
PM Modi’s leadership creating opportunities for women
Sai said women across the country had gained greater opportunities, recognition and participation under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
He cited initiatives such as ‘Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao’ and said the election of Droupadi Murmu as President of India was a source of inspiration for women across the country.
He emphasised that the goal of a developed India could not be achieved without women’s leadership and active participation, adding that Chhattisgarh was pursuing the same vision through its development programmes.
Union Minister of State Tokhan Sahu said the Women’s Commission was an important institution for providing hope, trust and justice to women in distress. He expressed confidence that the Commission would work effectively under Dr Mamta Sahu’s leadership.
Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao said the development of families, society and the nation was impossible without women’s active participation. He congratulated Dr Mamta Sahu and expressed confidence that the Commission would work sensitively towards women’s empowerment and speedy justice.
Women and Child Development Minister Lakshmi Rajwade noted that the Chhattisgarh State Commission for Women was observing its Silver Jubilee, marking 25 years of work towards protecting women’s rights and dignity.
The programme was attended by Revenue Minister Tankram Verma, Culture Minister Rajesh Agrawal, Rajya Sabha MP Lakshmi Verma, MLAs Purandar Mishra and Motilal Sahu, Raipur Mayor Meenal Chaubey, Ambikapur Mayor Manjusha Bhagat, Chairperson of the State Commission for Women Dr Mamta Sahu, heads of various corporations, boards and commissions, public representatives, officials and prominent women from different fields.
