Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that I want to change the lives of the Didis of Aajeevika Mission because they have changed the life of rural Madhya Pradesh. Now the Didis associated with Self-Help Groups do not require the help of anyone.
Aajeevika Mission was started with the aim that women should also get rights and their lives should also change. The success of self-help groups is the result of this vow “We shall not remain poor.” Women have the ability, talent, the spirit to work hard, there is a system of schemes for assistance and encouragement, if the state government has a clear intention with all this, then the results are in front of everyone. Our aim is that every woman associated with the self-help group should earn 10 thousand rupees per month while doing household chores and taking care of children.
Last year, bank linkage of Rs 1500 crore was made available for self-help groups. This year, the target of bank linkage of Rs 3 thousand crores has been set. The group's Didis must register their products on the GeM portal. It is our endeavour that their products are in demand not only in India but also in other countries. Our goal is to make the local vocal. The state government will also provide all possible assistance in the branding of the products.
Chouhan was discussing with the sisters of women self-help groups at the CM's residence. On the second day of Rakhi, the Didis of self-help groups who came to the CM's residence were welcomed by Chief Minister Chouhan by showering flowers. Chouhan inaugurated the programme by performing Kanya Pujan. In the programme, song of Madhya Pradesh, songs and dances centred on 13 sutras of Aajeevika Mission were presented. Didis tied rakhis to Chouhan and 9 thousand rakhis were presented. Principal Secretary Panchayat and Rural Development Umakant Umrao was present.
The Chief Minister said in the dialogue that "seeing the enthusiasm of the Didis, it seems that I will change Madhya Pradesh only with their trust." The work being done by the Didis in cleanliness, health, nutrition, education, environment and panchayats along with entrepreneurship through self-help groups is bringing a change in every sphere of life. In the recently held Panchayat elections, about 17 thousand women of self-help groups have been elected to the posts of Panch, Sarpanch, Janpad and District Panchayat member. This change is a revolution in itself. Women are getting empowered. Lok Adhikar Kendras are doing effective work in the field of awareness and helping women secure their rights. Lok Adhikar Kendras will be set up in every development block of the state.
Chouhan said that now the sisters of self-help groups will get loans at only 2 percent interest. In case the loan is repaid on time, they will be eligible for more loans. Responsibilities like recovery of water tax under Jal Jeevan Mission, recovery of electricity bill and purchase of food grains at support price are also being assigned to the groups. Didis also have to keep an eye on the quality of operation and development works of Panchayats. Along with this, they have to be attentive towards drug de-addiction campaign, continuity of education of children and Covid vaccination.
Chouhan said that the Didis of Self-Help Groups should also ensure that every eligible person of their area gets the benefit of various welfare schemes. He also inspired the group's sisters to participate enthusiastically in the "Har Ghar Tiranga" campaign in the 75th year of independence.
In the programme, Chief Minister Shri Chouhan honoured the officers of HDFC in the category of private banks and Madhya Pradesh Gramin Bank in the category of public banks for their excellent works. In the distribution of loan amount of Rs 200 crore, CM Shri Chouhan symbolically gave cheques of Rs 6 lakh each to self-help groups including Shri Ram Self-Help Group of Nazirabad, Muskaan Self-Help Group of Eintkhedi, Bhopal and Krishna Self-Help Group of Raisen village Medhanki. In the programme, Guddi Didi of self-help group of Budhar in Shahdol district who became District Panchayat member, Basanti Maravi, in-charge of Lok Adhikar Kendra run by Sagar Sankul Sangathan in Mandla district and Bina Dangi and Poshan Sakhi (nutritionist) of village Lasudia of Rajgarh-Biawara shared the nature of their work and experiences. CM Shri Chouhan interacted with the Didis and inquired about their work.
Chief Executive Officer of Madhya Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission Shri Belwal informed that about 43 lakh families are associated with the Aajeevika Mission. By the end of this year, this number will go up to 50 lakhs. The activities of the Mission have boosted the self-confidence of women. Now they have become skillful in operating laptops, mobiles etc. Proficiency has come in business activities, work in banks etc. Mission Didis from all the districts of the state participated virtually in the programme and interacted with the Chief Minister.