The National Lakhpati Didi Conclave-2025, held at the Lok Seva Bhawan Convention Centre in Bhubaneswar, marked a significant milestone in India’s journey toward women’s empowerment.
Organised by Odisha’s Mission Shakti Department, the event brought together Lakhpati Didis—women earning over ₹1 lakh annually—and government officials from 25 states and union territories.
The sammilani celebrated the transformative impact of the Lakhpati Didi initiative, launched under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visionary guidance to foster financial independence and leadership among rural women.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi emphasised that the initiative transcends mere income generation. “The Lakhpati Didi program is not just about earnings; it’s about empowering women with financial independence and awakening leadership in rural communities,” he said. He highlighted Odisha’s remarkable achievement of creating 17 lakh Lakhpati Didis, making it the leading state in India. Nayagarh district stood out, with 98% of its women under the scheme achieving Lakhpati status, followed closely by Kendrapara, Cuttack, Bhadrak, and Jagatsinghpur at 97%.
The initiative aligns with the broader goal of inclusive and sustainable development. Majhi noted that women’s strength and enterprise are shaping the future of families and the nation. The state has bolstered its support for Self-Help Groups (SHGs) by offering interest-free loans up to ₹10 lakh, increasing the Revolving Fund from ₹15,000 to ₹30,000, and raising the Community Investment Fund from ₹35 lakh to ₹60 lakh. These measures have enabled SHG women to scale their businesses, from Subhadra Shakti Melas to Subhadra Shakti Cafés, and even access international markets.
The event also highlighted legislative strides, such as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, ensuring 33% representation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. Stories of success resonated as Bindhyabashini from Rayagada and Shobha Digambar Kadam from Maharashtra shared their journeys. The Chief Minister honoured outstanding Lakhpati Didis—Shakuntala Dhal (Deogarh), Sulami Dalabehera (Gajapati), and Mamata Nath Sharma (Kendrapara)—and recognised Nayagarh district for its top performance. Devi Prasad Nayak from the Odisha Livelihood Mission was awarded as the best officer.
Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, also the Minister for Women and Child Development, described the initiative as a movement that liberates women from the confines of their homes, integrating them into the mainstream of development. “Our rural women are excelling in agriculture, animal husbandry, tailoring, and café management, setting an example for others,” she said. Anu Garg, Development Commissioner, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to making women self-reliant and central to the development process.
The Chief Minister unveiled a video, a coffee table book, and a booklet documenting the success of Lakhpati Didis, underscoring Odisha’s dedication to transforming the initiative into a movement for women’s dignity, self-reliance, and leadership.
