Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a heartfelt tribute to Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai Holkar on the occasion of her 300th birth anniversary during his address at the Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai Mahila Sashaktikaran Mahasammelan held at Jamboree Ground in Bhopal. Recalling her transformative leadership, he shared one of her inspiring quotes: "Whatever we have received is a debt given by the people – and we must repay it." He emphasized that the government aligns with this vision, adopting "Citizen is Divine" as its core governance mantra.
Prime Minister Modi highlighted that this moment is not just a celebration of the past but an opportunity for every citizen to contribute to nation-building. He reaffirmed the vision of Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai, which emphasized that the purpose of governance is to serve people and improve their lives. The Prime Minister emphasized that the government is committed to continuing her ideals and vision of good governance.
The Prime Minister also pointed out that women-led development has become the cornerstone of the government’s efforts. He mentioned that over 40 million homes have been built for the poor, with the majority being registered in the names of women, making them homeowners for the first time. In addition, programs like Ujjwala Yojana, which provides cooking gas, and efforts to ensure access to electricity and piped drinking water are aimed at easing the daily lives of women and promoting education for girls. These initiatives, he said, are a humble effort to honor and uphold the dignity of women.
Earlier, Prime Minister Modi visited an exhibition at the venue that showcased the life and legacy of Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai. The exhibition highlighted her contributions to good governance, women’s self-reliance, and the restoration of religious sites. He also interacted with women involved in handicrafts, handlooms, and drone operations under the Drone Didi initiative.
During his visit, the Prime Minister took a closer look at various ongoing programs in Madhya Pradesh aimed at empowering women in rural housing, tourism, agriculture, and local self-governance. He also reviewed the state’s infrastructure development and religious tourism initiatives.
Prime Minister Modi paid floral tributes at the statue of Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai Holkar, with Governor Mangubhai Patel and Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav present at the occasion. Governor Patel presented the Prime Minister with a zari-zardozi embroidered portrait of Devi Ahilyabai Holkar, while Chief Minister Yadav welcomed him with a traditional turban and a Pushpak Viman crafted from Bhareva art of Betul district.
Four women from Madhya Pradesh, exemplifying women empowerment and self-reliance, were honored during the event. These included Ms. Gyaneshwari Devi from Jabalpur, dedicated to cancer patient care, Ms. Prachi Yadav, India's first female canoeist and Arjuna Awardee, Smt. Aarti Patel, Sarpanch of Tirla village in Dhar district, known for sanitation and development work, and Ms. Meenakshi Thakle of the Nageshwari Self-Help Group in Maheshwar, involved in Maheshwari saree production.
The Prime Minister presented the Devi Ahilyabai National Award to Dr. Jayamati Kashyap, a tribal artist from Chhattisgarh, and released a commemorative postal stamp and a Rs 300 coin dedicated to Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar. Additionally, he inaugurated the Datia and Satna airports, and launched the Indore Metro. The Prime Minister also virtually transferred the first installment of Rs 483 crore for constructing 1,271 new Atal Gram Seva Sadans (Panchayat Bhavans) across the state.
This event underscored the importance of women’s empowerment in Madhya Pradesh, with the Prime Minister reaffirming that the government remains committed to upholding the values and legacy of Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai Holkar as a beacon of leadership and empowerment.