Lakhpati Didi: Shaping the Future of Empowered Women in Odisha

Empowering women is not just a policy matter or political stance, but the very foundation upon which a prosperous and inclusive society stands.

- By Pravati Parida Deputy Chief Minister, Odisha

With the inspiring commitment of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi and under the visionary leadership of our Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, we have embarked upon a transformative journey to strengthen the socio-economic position of women through an innovative and impactful initiative, 'Lakhpati Didi'.

When I reflect on the trajectory of women empowerment, I vividly recall the countless conversations I've had with women across the state, women who once struggled to secure even basic financial independence but are now leading flourishing entrepreneurial ventures.

Our government's focused efforts and interventions have consistently aimed to bring out the untapped potential within every woman, enabling her to play a key role in Odisha's growth story.

It is with great pride and a deep sense of responsibility that we pursue our goal of creating 25 lakh Lakhpati Didis in Odisha by 2027, and this vision continues to shape the future of our state's development agenda.

Till date, more than 8 lakh Lakhpati Didis have been created in Odisha, out of which 1.66 lakh belongs to the aspiration and tribal districts.

As we stand today, Odisha Livelihood Mission (OLM) has played a critical role in executing this remarkable initiative. Our approach to women's economic empowerment encompasses not only financial aid but also extensive capacity building, skill enhancement, financial literacy, and market linkages.

It is a holistic ecosystem we have created that ensures every woman is supported, from the initial phases of her entrepreneurial journey to the final stages of marketing and scaling her enterprise.

The Lakhpati Didi initiative has already transformed the lives of over 8 lakh women entrepreneurs in Odisha, a significant milestone achieved within a remarkably short period.