**Executive Summary**
On April 1, 2026, Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Smt. Raksha Khadse, visited Jagdalpur and Bastar to review Chhattisgarh’s women-led development model. The visit focused on the success of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and the preservation of traditional tribal crafts in driving inclusive growth. Key takeaways include the integration of state schemes with market-access initiatives to foster financial independence and rural economic strengthening.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Women’s Economic Empowerment**
* Self-help groups (SHGs), such as the Pragati Women SHG under the "Chhattis Kala" brand, are serving as primary catalysts for financial independence and social change in rural areas.
* The state is leveraging e-commerce platforms and the production of ready-to-eat food items to expand market access for women entrepreneurs.
* Interventions are designed to improve nutrition security, generate employment, and build a self-reliant ("Atmanirbhar") India through "Nari Shakti."
**Government Schemes and Initiatives**
* **Mahtari Vandan Yojana:** Provides essential financial support to women across the state.
* **Lakhpati Didi Yojana:** Focuses on creating sustainable livelihood opportunities to elevate the economic status of women.
* **Growth Centres:** These hubs facilitate the review of local products and support the scaling of women-led initiatives.
**Cultural Preservation and Livelihood**
* The traditional "Dhokra craft" (a lost-wax metal casting technique) is recognized as a vital cultural legacy of Bastar’s tribal artisans.
* The document highlights a direct link between preserving artistic traditions and generating sustainable economic opportunities for local communities.
**Impact Analysis**
**Women Entrepreneurs and Self-Help Groups**
**Impact:** They are gaining financial independence, improved market access through e-commerce, and the ability to scale their businesses.
**Action Required:** Continue scaling current initiatives and diversifying product ranges to strengthen the rural economy.
**Tribal Artisans**
**Impact:** Their traditional techniques are being recognized as a living cultural memory, providing a sustainable source of income.
**Action Required:** Maintain and pass down traditional craftsmanship, such as the Dhokra craft, to ensure both cultural and economic continuity.
**State and District Administration**
**Impact:** Officials (District Collector, CEO of Zila Panchayat, etc.) are responsible for the successful implementation of empowerment models that serve as a national example.
**Action Required:** Continue monitoring growth centres and providing the necessary infrastructure to support SHGs and artisan communities.
Key Entities Referenced
Mahtari Vandan Yojana: A women-centric scheme in Chhattisgarh providing vital financial support to empower women.
Lakhpati Didi Yojana: A national initiative mentioned as a tool for creating sustainable livelihood opportunities and expanding market access for women.
Chhattisgarh: The state (specifically Bastar district) where the highlighted model of women empowerment and tribal craft preservation is implemented.
Raksha Khadse: Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports who reviewed and promoted the state's women-led economic initiatives.
Dhokra craft: A traditional tribal lost-wax metal art form identified as a key driver for inclusive growth and cultural preservation in the Bastar region.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Chhattisgarh Model Sets a New Direction for
Women Empowerment: Raksha Khadse
Women-led self-help groups and Bastar’s traditional tribal
crafts emerge as key drivers of inclusive growth and cultural
preservation
Posted On: 01 APR 2026 12:08PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Smt. Raksha Khadse, today visited the Growth
Centre and stalls of the Pragati Women Self-Help Group under the Chhattis Kala brand in Jagdalpur,
where she reviewed a range of local products and interacted with women entrepreneurs associated with
self-help groups.
The visit highlighted the significant strides being made in Chhattisgarh towards women’s economic
empowerment and community-led development. Smt. Khadse noted that self-help groups are playing a
transformative role in enabling women to become financially independent while also emerging as catalysts
of social change across rural areas.
Referring to the State’s women-centric initiatives, she observed that schemes such as the Mahtari Vandan
Yojana are providing vital financial support to women, while complementary efforts including product
sales through e-commerce platforms, preparation of ready-to-eat food products, and the Lakhpati Didi
Yojana are creating sustainable livelihood opportunities and expanding market access.
The Minister underlined that these interventions are contributing not only to income generation but also to
nutrition security, employment creation, and the strengthening of the rural economy. She described the
ongoing efforts as a strong step towards building an Atmanirbhar Bharat under the leadership of Nari
Shakti.
During her visit to Chilkuti village in Bastar district, Smt. Khadse also took stock of the region’s rich
artistic traditions and cultural heritage. A key highlight of the visit was her close observation of the
traditional lost-wax technique (Dhokra craft), an iconic form of tribal metal art that reflects the unique
identity and craftsmanship of Bastar’s artisan communities.
Emphasising the importance of preserving such traditions, she noted that the craft represents far more than
an artistic practice, it embodies a living cultural memory and the enduring legacy of local tribal artisans.
The visit also underscored the close link between cultural preservation and livelihood generation, with
traditional crafts continuing to provide sustainable economic opportunities to local communities.
Smt. Khadse interacted with women entrepreneurs and artisans during the programme, appreciated their
contribution, and encouraged them to continue scaling their initiatives.Present on the occasion were Shri Akash Chhikara, IAS, District Collector; Shri Shalabh Sinha, IPS,
Superintendent of Police; Shri Prateek Jain, IAS, Chief Executive Officer, Zila Panchayat; and Shri Gagan
Sharma, SDM, Bastar.
The transformation underway in Chhattisgarh through women-led self-help groups and traditional tribal
crafts is emerging as a compelling model of women empowerment, rural development, and inclusive
economic growth.*****
Ayushman Kumar
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