**Summary:**
On August 15, 2025, Union Minister for Rural Development and Agriculture Farmers Welfare, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, met with "Lakhpati Didis" (women earning over one lakh rupees annually) and farmers from Madhya Pradesh at his residence in New Delhi. These individuals were special guests attending Independence Day celebrations. The Minister emphasized his commitment to empowering women and ensuring their financial independence, referencing his previous work with the Ladli Behna Yojana in Madhya Pradesh. He encouraged the "Lakhpati Didis" to strive to become "Millionaire Didis" and highlighted their role as agents of rural transformation. He urged them to work towards de-addiction in villages and promote gender equality by ensuring equal treatment and education for sons and daughters. The "Lakhpati Didis" expressed their gratitude for the positive impact of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM) on their lives. The farmers also thanked the Union Minister for the invitation to Delhi and his welfare initiatives. This release was issued by PIB Delhi.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Rural Development: A ministry of the Government of India responsible for rural development programs.
Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan: Union Minister for Rural Development, and Agriculture Farmers Welfare.
Lakhpati Didis: A group of women who earn over one lakh rupees annually, aimed at promoting self-reliance and empowerment.
Madhya Pradesh: A state in India from which the Lakhpati Didis and farmers hail.
Union Agriculture Minister: Refers to Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan who is also Union Agriculture Minister.
Ladli Behna Yojana: A scheme implemented by Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan during his tenure as Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, aimed at improving the lives of daughters.
National Rural Livelihood Mission: A poverty reduction program implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development promoting self-employment and organization of rural poor.
DAYNRLM: An acronym for Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission, a poverty alleviation program implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development.
Ministry of Rural Development
Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan meets
‘Lakhpati Didis’ and farmers from Madhya Pradesh
“Lakhpati Didis are the pride of the nation and
carriers of development” – Shri Shivraj Singh
Chouhan
“Government is dedicated to the welfare of our
farmer brothers and sisters” – Union Agriculture
Minister
Posted On: 15 AUG 2025 7:31PM by PIB DelhiUnion Minister for Rural Development, and Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan
today met ‘Lakhpati Didis’ and farmers from Madhya Pradesh, who had come to Delhi to attend the
Independence Day celebrations as Special Guests, at his New Delhi residence.
On this occasion, addressing the ‘Lakhpati Didis’, the Union Minister said, “Your visit to my residence is a
moment of great joy for me. The sole aim of my life is that every sister in the country should be free frompoverty, become a Lakhpati (earning over one lakh rupees annually), become self-reliant and empowered, and
play a role in the nation’s progress."
He recalled that during his tenure as Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, he tried to bring about change in the
lives of daughters through the ‘Ladli Behna Yojana’. Now, as a Union Minister, his effort is to ensure the
greater welfare of Lakhpati Didis.Shri Chouhan told the Didis that they were doing excellent work, but there was still more to achieve. “After
becoming Lakhpati Didis, you must aim to become Millionaire Didis. No task is difficult or impossible; once
you make up your mind, any goal can be achieved. I have complete faith that the Didis will continue to
progress and write new stories of success," he added.
The Union Minister further said that Lakhpati Didis are the pride of the nation and the true agents of rural
transformation. “Your efforts can paint a new picture of development. Keep trying, work for de-addiction in
villages, and I will fully support you. At the very least, let us ensure that alcohol is not sold in villages,” he
emphasised. He also spoke on gender equality, saying that there should be no discrimination between sons
and daughters, and that families must raise and educate them equally, imparting moral and cultural values to
both alike.
The Didis from various districts and regions of Madhya Pradesh enthusiastically shared their experiences and
expressed gratitude towards the Union Minister for the changes brought in their lives through the National
Rural Livelihood Mission. They said DAY-NRLM has transformed their lives — making them self-reliant,
empowered, inspired towards education, and enabling them to create their own identity, all thanks to the
mission.
The farmers from Madhya Pradesh also interacted with the Union Minister on this occasion and thanked him
for inviting them to Delhi and for his welfare initiatives.
***
RC/KSR/AR
(Release ID: 2156955)