• Dr. Daneshwari Sambhakar, Deputy Director Public Relations
Any society is considered truly progressing when its women lead empowered, self-reliant, and respectable lives. In Chhattisgarh, the state government’s ambitious Mahatari Vandan Yojana has emerged as a historic and sensitive initiative in this direction. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai and the guidance of Women and Child Development Minister Smt. Laxmi Rajwade, this scheme is instilling confidence, economic strength, and new hope in the lives of millions of women.
The Mahtari Vandan Yojana is not limited to a monthly financial assistance of ₹1,000; it has become a powerful tool to give wings to women’s dreams, strengthen their self-esteem, and ensure their participation in the family’s financial responsibilities. Inspiring stories are emerging from villages across the state, demonstrating that even small financial contributions can lead to significant social change.
During the massive Mahatari Vandan program organized in Bastar on the occasion of International Women’s Day, many women virtually interacted with Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai and shared the changes in their lives. Mrs. Anita Sahu of Khodri village in Gaurela Pendra Marwahi district said that earlier it was difficult to run the family due to financial difficulties, but with the money received from the scheme, she bought a sewing machine and started the “Anita Sewing Center.” Today, she is giving a better life to her family through sewing, farming and labor. Her journey has become an inspiring story of struggle to self-reliance.
Mrs. Mithlesh Chaturvedi of Mohla-Manpur-Ambagadh Chowki district also shared an emotional experience from her life. After her husband’s death, the responsibility of the family fell on her shoulders. During such difficult times, the Mahatari Vandan Yojana provided her financial support, and she chose a new path to livelihood by purchasing an e-rickshaw. Today, she supports her family with self-respect and has established herself as a self-reliant woman in society.
Mrs. Babi Rajwade, a resident of the village of Dumaria in the Koriya district, says that the monthly payment she receives is proving to be a great help in her farming endeavors. Meeting the purchase of seeds, fertilizers, and other agricultural needs has become easier than before. Meanwhile, Mrs. Sundari Paikra of the village of Aamapara is using this money to educate her children, giving them a new direction in their future.
The story of Mrs. Savita Singh of Chanti village in the Bharatpur development block further reinforces the significance of this scheme. She saved the funds from the Mahatari Vandan Yojana, purchased a sewing machine, and began sewing. Today, she earns a regular income by sewing clothes in the village and supports her children’s education. Her success has inspired other women in the village to become self-reliant.
The widespread impact of the Mahatari Vandan Yojana is visible in every district of the state. Nearly 6.9 million married women are receiving monthly assistance of ₹1,000 directly into their bank accounts, and over ₹16,237 crore has been disbursed through DBT in 25 installments. This regular financial support is bringing stability and confidence to women’s lives.
The most significant feature of this scheme is that it not only provides assistance to women but also inspires them to become self-reliant. Using this amount, women are starting small businesses, investing in their children’s education, strengthening agriculture, and taking an active role in family financial responsibilities. This is leading to positive changes at all three levels: family, society, and the state.
The women say that previously they had to depend on others for even the smallest needs, but now the Mahatari Vandan Yojana has given them the strength to live with self-respect. Expressing gratitude to Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai and Women and Child Development Minister Smt. Laxmi Rajwade, they said that this scheme has brought new hope and confidence into their lives.
Today, the Mahtari Vandan Yojana has become a strong pillar of women’s empowerment in Chhattisgarh. This scheme not only empowers women economically but also gives them the opportunity to progress in society with respect, confidence, and self-reliance.
Certainly, Mahatari Vandan Yojana is proving to be a new dawn of self-respect, empowerment and bright future for the women of Chhattisgarh, which will become a strong foundation for the overall development of the state in the times to come.