Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Monday, participated in the Sashakt Nari-Viksit Bharat programme and witnessed agricultural drone demonstrations by Namo Drone Didis from 10 places across the nation at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), Pusa here.

Mr Modi handed over drones to 1,000 Namo Drone Didis and disbursed around Rs 8,000 crore bank loans to Self Help Groups (SHGs) at subsidised interest rate through Bank Linkage Camps, set up by the banks in each district.

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The prime minister disbursed an additional amount of Rs 2,000 crore for a Capitalization Support Fund to the SHGs.

Interacting with the beneficiaries, Mr Modi said it was a historic day when the Drone Didis and Lakhpati Didis were scripting new chapters of success. Interacting with the successful women entrepreneurs filled him with confidence about the future of the nation.

The prime minister said the women’s determination and persistence made him confident about Nari Shakti (women’s capacity). “It gave me confidence to embark on the journey of creating three crore lakhpati Didis,” he added.

“A society can progress only through creating opportunities and ensuring dignity of Nari Shakti,” he said, adding that with just a little bit of support, Nari Shakti transcends the need for support and becomes a pillar of support for others. Unfortunately, earlier governments did not recognize this truth.

He said he was the first prime minister to speak from the ramparts of the Red Fort about issues of women’s empowerment like toilets for women, sanitary pads, unhealthy smoky kitchens, piped water to save the women daily inconvenience, Jan Dhan accounts for every women, against derogatory language for women and the need to educate sons about proper behaviour towards Nari Shakti.

“Modi’s sensitivities and Modi’s schemes have emerged from the experiences rooted in everyday life,” the prime minister said. Experience through realities of life informed his sensitivities and schemes. That is why these schemes bring ease of life for the mothers and daughters of the country, he contended.

Talking about the schemes for women, the prime minister said to stop foeticide Beti Bachao Beti Padhao was started, Rs 6,000 was announced for nutrition of expecting mothers, Sukanya Samriddhi for ensuring resources during education, Mudra Yojana for helping them get gainful foothold in entrepreneur arena, maternity leave expansion, free medical treatment, affordable medicines and enhancing ownership by registering PM Awas houses in the names of women.

Mr Modi said the transformative influence of drone technology in agriculture was steered by women. Recalling his interaction with a Drone Didi, the prime minister said the technology empowered these women through income, skill and recognition.

“I have full faith that Nari Shakti will lead the technology revolution in the country,” he asserted, citing strides by women in different fields. He said the drone technology could serve in transporting milk and vegetable products and medicine delivery, creating new avenues for the Drone Didis.

He said the expansion of self-help groups in India over the past decade was remarkable. These groups have rewritten the narrative of women’s empowerment in the country. “I extend my heartfelt greetings to every sister in the self-help groups today. Their hard work has elevated these groups to become leaders in nation-building,” he added.

The prime minister said the number of women in self-help groups has surpassed 10 crore. The government supported the groups and helped opening of bank accounts for 98 per cent of these groups.

The assistance to each of these groups has been increased to Rs 20 lakh and more than Rs 8 lakh crore have been deposited in the accounts of the groups. The Prime Minister said the push for modern infrastructure has helped increase the income of these Self Help Groups three-fold.

The women’s groups have made societal impact and contributed significantly to the development of rural infrastructure and the overall upliftment of rural communities. The women’s SHGs will be given priority in the implementation of the PM Suryaghar Muft Bijli Yojana, he said.

They have already made their mark as as Bank Sakhi, Krishi Sakhi, Pashu Sakhi and Matasya Sakhi. “These Didis are giving new impetus to the country’s national campaigns, from health to Digital India. More than 50 per cent of those running the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan are women and more than 50 per cent of the beneficiaries are also women, he said.