Varanasi is shining example of women empowerment :PM Modi

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 8, 2019, attended the National Women Livelihood Meet-2019 held at Deendayal Hastkala Sankul at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, on International Women’s Day.

The Prime Minister visited the exhibition of products manufactured by Self Help Groups (SHGs) aided by Uttar Pradesh Rural Livelihood Mission. He distributed Electric Chaak, Solar Charkha and Honey Warp to women beneficiaries and appreciation letters to five women Self Help Groups. Various women Self Help Groups supported by Deendayal Anthodia Yojana, NRLM-Uttar Pradesh, handed over a cheque of Rs 21 lakh to the Prime Minister as their contribution towards ‘Bharat Ke Veer’ Fund.

Paying his respect to all women on International Women’s Day, the Prime Minister said that women have an important role in creating New India. He expressed happiness that over 65 lakh women from around 75,000 locations are participating at the event through video conference. He added that Varanasi is a shining example of women empowerment.

The Prime Minister said that the government is completely committed to the empowerment of women. He mentioned about the various schemes initiated by the Union Government for the welfare of women and girl children, especially in the fields of health, nutrition, sanitation, education, skill development, self-employment, new gas connections and ensuring safety and security of women. He said that maternity leave of six months introduced by the government is one of the best in the world.

Women are given priority in all Union Government schemes, the PM said. He added that eleven crore out of the fifteen crore Mudra Loans given out so far, have been given to women.

Appreciating the exceptional work done by Self Help Groups in India, PM Modi said that their work is not only resulting in the betterment of their family but also leading to the development of nation. He said that the government is giving new energy to the Self Help Groups in terms of better bank loans and support systems. Around fifty lakh Self Help Groups covering around six crore women are now present in the country, the PM added. He said that the vision of his government is to connect at least one women member in every family with a Self Help Group.

The Prime Minister urged the Self Help Groups to be innovative and understand their market better. He asked them to utilise the GEM portal to sell their products to the Government. The Prime Minister asked women to fully utilise the recently launched Pradhan Mantri Shram Maan-dhanYojana, as it provides financial security during old age. He also mentioned the benefits of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi and Ayushman Bharat Yojana. The Prime Minister also interacted with the members of Self Help Groups at Varanasi, according to a PIB release.