On November 5, 2023, Vice-President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan attended the "Lakhpati Didi Sammelan" in Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh, where he lauded the 'Lakhpati Didi' initiative as a model of women-led development and grassroots democracy. The event was attended by Governor Shri Ramen Deka, Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, and Speaker Dr. Raman Singh. Radhakrishnan hailed Chhattisgarh's transformation from power scarcity to power surplus. He also praised the joint efforts of the Centre, State, and security forces in curbing Naxalism, stating that peace and progress in Chhattisgarh are a result of collective political will and development-oriented governance. The Vice-President commended Chhattisgarh's strides in healthcare, particularly cataract-free initiatives and Ayushman Bharat implementation. During the Lakhpati Didi Sammelan, he was given a demonstration of social initiatives led by women's groups. He lauded the leadership in public welfare, natural resource management, and community development.
Radhakrishnan inaugurated a new five-story facility at Udayachal Health and Research Institute in Rajnandgaon, acknowledging its work in making Chhattisgarh cataract-free and its commitment to combating tuberculosis and promoting tree plantation drives. He also witnessed the Indian Air Force's (IAF) Suryakiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) air show in Nava Raipur, as part of the Chhattisgarh Rajat Mahotsav celebrations.
The Vice-President highlighted that 9,663 Self-Help Groups connected over one lakh women through and facilitated ₹700 crore in financial assistance. The state's direct transfer of over ₹13,000 crore under the Mahila Samman Yojana has empowered women beneficiaries across 20 installments.
Release ID: 2186687.
Key Entities Referenced
Lakhpati Didi: An initiative focused on women-led development, aiming for financial independence through self-help groups and empowering women to earn a livelihood of at least ₹1 lakh per year
Chhattisgarh: Indian state where the Lakhpati Didi Sammelan took place and a focus of the Vice-President's visit regarding development and healthcare initiatives.
Ayushman Bharat: Referenced national health scheme or umbrella of schemes, with specific mention of efforts to make Chhattisgarh cataract-free.
Vice President's Secretariat
Vice-President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan lauds
‘Lakhpati Didi’ initiative as a model of women-
led development and grassroots democracy
Vice-President attends ‘Lakhpati Didi Sammelan’ in
Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh
Vice-President hails Chhattisgarh’s transformation from
power scarcity to power surplus
Vice-President lauds joint efforts of Centre, State, and
security forces in curbing Naxalism
Peace and progress in Chhattisgarh a result of collective
political will and development-oriented governance
Democracy lives in gram sabhas, panchayats, and self-
help groups — not just in Parliament: Vice-President
Vice-President commends Chhattisgarh’s strides in
healthcare — from cataract-free initiatives to Ayushman
Bharat implementation
Posted On: 05 NOV 2025 6:19PM by PIB Delhi
The Vice-President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, attended the “Lakhpati Didi Sammelan” at
Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh, today.Vice-President of India
@VPIndia·Follow
Honʼble Vice-President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan attended
the Lakhpati Didi Sammelan at Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh
today, in the presence of Honʼble Governor Shri Ramen
Deka, Honʼble Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, Honʼble
Speaker Dr. Raman Singh, and other dignitaries. Show
more
5:13 PM · Nov 5, 2025
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Addressing the gathering, the Vice-President lauded the Lakhpati Didi initiative, describing it as a
reflection of the strength and determination of India’s women.
He said that the initiative reflects the resolve of women — the Didis — who are turning challenges
into opportunities. The Vice-President observed that the term “Lakhpati Didi” is not just about income
but embodies independence, dignity, and confidence.
He noted that across India, thousands of self-help groups led by women are demonstrating how hard
work, discipline, and solidarity can transform lives. He emphasised that the achievements of these
women highlight the transformative power of India’s sisters — the backbone of rural India.
Praising the government’s efforts, he said that Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of
creating three crore Lakhpati Didis is an extraordinary step toward building women-led development
— a movement that finds vivid expression in Chhattisgarh.
The Vice-President praised the growing leadership of women in Chhattisgarh and across India,
describing the Lakhpati Didi initiative as a vibrant movement that has enabled over two crore women
nationwide and five lakh women in Chhattisgarh to achieve financial independence through self-help
groups and income-generating activities.He acknowledged the focused efforts of the State Government and the District Administration,
Rajnandgaon, which have connected over one lakh women through 9,663 Self-Help Groups and
facilitated more than ₹700 crore in financial assistance. He also noted that the state’s direct transfer of
over ₹13,000 crore under the Mahila Samman Yojana has empowered women beneficiaries across 20
instalments.
Shri C.P.Radhakrishnan highlighted Rajnandgaon’s unique status as a symbol of women’s
empowerment, noting that over 1,000 women serve in local self-governance as Panch, Sarpanch,
Janpad, and Zila Panchayat members. He underscored that democracy is not confined to Parliament
alone but lives in gram sabhas, panchayats, and self-help groups, where citizens discuss, decide, and
develop together. He said that the Lakhpati Didi movement strengthens the roots of democracy by
ensuring participation, transparency, and local empowerment.
He said that initiatives like this have changed the perception that women must confine themselves to
their homes. Today, they are emerging as administrators, achieving economic independence, and
inspiring future leaders.
The Vice-President saluted the Lakhpati Didis for their courage and determination in overcoming all
odds with government support and expressed hope that they will soon become Crorepati Didis.
Recalling the progress achieved in Chhattisgarh, he said there was a time when the state faced a lack
of water, electricity, and development, but today, it produces electricity for the entire country and has
made remarkable improvements in healthcare.
He also lauded the successful efforts to eliminate the Naxal problem from the region, attributing it to
the collaborative vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah
, the State Government, and security forces.
The Vice-President further observed that creating wealth is as important as distributing it. He added
that both the Central and State Governments are effectively pursuing these goals, which has helped
reduce challenges such as Naxalism.
Referring to the recent victory of the Indian women’s cricket team in the World Cup, Shri
C.P.Radhakrishnan drew an inspiring parallel to the social transformation being led by the women of
Chhattisgarh. He paid tribute to their courage, resilience, and contribution to the nation’s progress.
Shri C.P.Radhakrishnan also recalled that the creation of Chhattisgarh on 1 November 2000 fulfilled
the vision of former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and expressed pride in having
supported the Bill as a Member of Parliament.
Concluding his address, the Vice-President expressed faith that Chhattisgarh and Rajnandgaon would
continue to lead by example in empowerment, democracy, and culture.
During the Lakhpati Didi Sammelan at Rajnandgaon, the Vice-President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan
was given a demonstration of various social initiatives led by women’s groups — including Assistive
Devices made by Divyangjan themselves. Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan commended the women’s
leadership in public welfare, natural resource management, and community development through
these innovative initiatives.Vice-President of India
@VPIndia·Follow
During the Lakhpati Didi Sammelan at Rajnandgaon,
Chhattisgarh, Honʼble Vice-President Shri C. P.
Radhakrishnan was given a demonstration of various social
initiatives led by womenʼs groups — including Assistive
Devices made by Divyangjan themselves.
Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan Show more
5:39 PM · Nov 5, 2025
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Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan also inaugurated a new five-storey facility at Udayachal Health and
Research Institute in Rajnandgaon. He commended the institute’s pivotal role in making Chhattisgarh
cataract-free and its commitment to combating tuberculosis, promoting tree plantation drives.
The Vice-President underscored the national progress towards Cataract-Free Bharat. He noted the
remarkable achievements of the National Netra Jyoti Abhiyan. He also highlighted that initiatives like
Ayushman Bharat, Ayushman Arogya Mandir, and PM–Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure
Mission are transforming healthcare access across the country.
The Governor of Chhattisgarh, Shri Ramen Deka; Chief Minister, Shri Vishnu Deo Sai; Speaker of
the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly, Dr. Raman Singh were present at both events in Rajnandgaon.Vice-President of India
@VPIndia·Follow
Honʼble Vice-President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan
inaugurated the new five-storey facility at Udayachal
Health and Research Institute in Rajnandgaon,
Chhattisgarh, today.
Honʼble Governor Shri Ramen Deka, Honʼble Chief Minister
Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, and Honʼble Speaker of the
State Show more
5:57 PM · Nov 5, 2025
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Earlier in the day, the Vice-President also witnessed the spectacular air show by the Indian Air Force’s
(IAF) famed Suryakiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) in Nava Raipur, held as part of the Chhattisgarh
Rajat Mahotsav celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of the state’s formation. The breathtaking
display of skill and precision fostered a patriotic atmosphere and enthralled the audience.Vice-President of India
@VPIndia·Follow
Honʼble Vice-President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan witnessed
the spectacular air show by the Indian Air Forceʼs (IAF)
famed Suryakiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) in Nava Raipur,
Chhattisgarh, today, along with the people. The
breathtaking display of skill and precision fostered a Show
more
1:40 PM · Nov 5, 2025
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