President Draupadi Murmu said that rural women are no longer just beneficiaries of schemes, but have become wealth creators and are emerging as drivers of development. Inaugurating the 'National SARAS (Saras Mela) organized by the Union Ministry of Rural Development and Government of Andhra Pradesh in Vijayawada, he said that the Government of India has given a new momentum and direction to the empowerment of rural women through the 'Lakhpati Didi' initiative.

She said, “Increasing participation in various modern sectors like digital services and renewable energy has opened new avenues of skill development for our rural sisters. Today, rural women are no longer just beneficiaries of government schemes. They have become wealth creators and are emerging as drivers of development.”

He said that under the comprehensive vision of 'Antyodaya', the Central Government has placed women-led institutions at the center of the 'Rural Livelihood Mission'. As a result, women are providing leadership for the rejuvenation of villages.

He said that women's 'self-help groups' have made an effective contribution to the rural economy. In about 12 years, the number of women associated with these groups has increased to more than 10 crores.

The President said that her name should not be limited only to 'Lakhpati Didi', but the aim should be to make her 'Krorapati Didi' in the future.

He said, “Earlier women used to depend on others even for small things, but today they have not only become self-reliant, but have also reached such a point that they can be of support to others as well.”

President Murmu said that to achieve the goal of 'Developed India' by 2047, the benefits of development should reach every village and every household. He said that innovative self-help groups and 'Saras Melas' will have to play a leading role in this direction.

The President said that 'Saras Fairs' have been established as progressive rural markets. Through these, direct contact between rural women entrepreneurs and consumers across the country has been strengthened. They have got opportunities to connect directly with urban markets and their marketing capabilities are developing.

The President visited Saras stalls and talked to 'Lakhpati Didis'. Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan highlighted the initiatives of the Center and Andhra Pradesh state government for the development of women in Self-Help Groups (SHGs).

He said, “Saras fair will no longer be limited to Delhi only. Fairs will also be organized in different states of the country, so that our sisters can get a proper platform. Apart from this, we will also establish 'She Mart' in every district.”

The Union Minister said that both Prime Minister Modi and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu are committed to making women of Self Help Groups (SHGs) economically self-reliant.

“Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is further strengthening the women associated with DWCRA (Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas) by providing them technical support. Andhra Pradesh has 11 lakh Self Help Groups (SHGs). The state is at the forefront in converting SHG members into 'Lakhpati Didis',” he said.

The Union Minister said that through 'She Mart' the products made by women of Self Help Groups (SHG) will be marketed on a large scale.

He said, “We will implement the Andhra Pradesh model for marketing products made by women. Our vision is that women from self-help groups have a major contribution in building a 'developed India'.”

On this occasion, Andhra Pradesh Governor S. Abdul Nazir, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, Union Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu, Pemmasani Chandrashekhar, Kamlesh Paswan and Secretaries of the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India were present.