Omar Abdullah Lauds 'Lakhpati Didi' Empowerment Campaign

By: WE Staff | Friday, 17 January 2025

• Omar Abdullah praised the ‘Lakhpati Didi’ campaign for empowering women.
• CM announced skill training and development for women entrepreneurs.
• Key initiatives included Lakhpati Didis’ felicitation and loan disbursements.

The ‘Lakhpati Didi’ campaign was described by Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah as a monumental initiative aimed at revitalizing families and shaping future generations. The government’s strong commitment to empowering women was emphasized.

The CM highlighted the campaign's role in revolutionizing the rural economy, fostering progress and prosperity. He also reaffirmed his government’s commitment to the Umeed programme, pledging necessary steps, funding, and simplified procedures for its continued growth and success.

An official press release stated that the Chief Minister made these remarks at the ‘Lakhpati Didi Sammelan’ organized by JKRLM under the Department of Rural Development at the Convention Centre.

Addressing the event, the Chief Minister said, “As I stand here, my heart is filled with pride. I want to assure all of you—our daughters, sisters, and mothers—that the government is fully committed to supporting this program. We will take every necessary step to ensure its continued growth, provide the required funds and simplify procedures to empower more women.”

The Chief Minister expressed satisfaction that over 12,000 ‘Lakhpati Didis’ have been empowered, emphasizing that financial independence for women strengthens both individuals and society.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed pride in the success of the programme, which began during his first tenure and led to the emergence of Lakhpati Didis in Jammu and Kashmir. He highlighted the incredible stories of success and perseverance from the initiative, emphasizing the women’s fiscal discipline, responsibility, and commitment to timely repayments, which have built trust with banks and financial institutions.

CM Omar further stressed that if all sectors operated with the same integrity and accountability, Jammu and Kashmir’s economic landscape would be transformed. He also underscored the transformative power of financial independence for women, stating that when women—mothers, sisters, and daughters—become self-reliant, society benefits by enabling them to make decisions that shape a better future for themselves and their families.

The Chief Minister praised the Umeed Programme for its quiet yet impactful progress, emphasizing that true progress often happens without fanfare. He highlighted how many women have achieved self-reliance and created job opportunities, stating, “You are no longer just beneficiaries; you are its leaders and torchbearers.”

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah recognized the Umeed programme’s potential to serve as a national model, urging the replication of its success in other states. He also announced plans to provide training and skill development opportunities for women entrepreneurs across India, with a group scheduled to travel to Ahmedabad for advanced training.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister virtually launched several initiatives to further empower women under the Umeed programme. These included the felicitation of 11,936 Lakhpati Didis, the e-delivery of engagement orders for 650 banking correspondents, and the e-inauguration of four Common Training Centres to build the capacity of potential Lakhpati Didis.

The CM also witnessed the e-disbursement of Rs 5000 lakh in loans to 2016 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and Rs 231 lakh to 165 Cluster Level Federations (CLFs) to establish mini-custom hiring centers. He flagged off a group of women entrepreneurs for advanced training at the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII) in Ahmedabad.

A documentary on the Umeed programme’s transformative journey was screened, showcasing its impact. Two Lakhpati Didis shared their inspiring success stories with the audience and the Chief Minister.

The event was attended by various officials, including Minister for Rural Development & Panchayati Raj Javed Ahmad Dar, Advisor to the CM Nasir Aslam Wani, and other key figures from the Rural Development Department.