Shri Chouhan inaugurated 199 Community Managed Training Centres (CMTCs) across India, reinforcing the Government’s commitment to skill development and capacity building among women-led institutions. These centres will serve as platforms to enhance livelihoods, promote entrepreneurship, and empower SHG members, ensuring continuous learning at the grassroots level.
Empowering Women for Rural Transformation
In his keynote address, the Minister emphasized that a prosperous nation is built on prosperous women. He highlighted DAY–NRLM’s transformative role in enabling access to credit, livelihoods, and collective empowerment, noting India’s progress from over 2 crore to nearly 3 crore Lakhpati Didis. He urged SHG networks to strengthen last-mile delivery of government schemes, expand market linkages, promote organic farming, and enhance entrepreneurship for self-reliance.
The Minister also reaffirmed the importance of gender equality, social change, and the participation of women in grassroots political leadership. Initiatives like “Ladli Lakshmi Yojana” and “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” were cited as transformative programmes empowering women across rural India.
Celebrating 150 Years of Vande Mataram
Special guests, including Lakhpati Didis, PMAY-G beneficiaries, and SHG leaders, joined in a collective rendition of Vande Mataram, marking 150 years of the National Song. The singing symbolized unity, pride, and the spirit of collective national development, echoing the pivotal role of women in shaping India’s rural economy and social progress.
Stories of Leadership and Entrepreneurship
During interactions, SHG women shared inspiring journeys across diverse sectors such as food processing, agriculture, livestock management, printing, retail, beauty services, weaving, and non-traditional enterprises including JCB operations. Their stories highlighted increased incomes, financial independence, and community leadership fostered through DAY–NRLM, demonstrating the transformative impact of women-led institutions on rural development.
National Recognition and Republic Day Participation
The felicitation programme is part of broader Republic Day 2026 celebrations. Over 400 Special Guests under DAY–NRLM and PMAY–G, including women SHG members and Lakhpati Didis with their spouses, will participate in the Republic Day Parade at Kartavya Path, New Delhi on 26 January, followed by heritage visits on 27 January. The initiative reflects a national commitment to constitutional values and the collective empowerment of women in building a resilient and Viksit Bharat.