AP: President Murmu calls for women to move from Lakhpati Didis to Crorepati Didis
Vijayawada, Oct. 15 (TNT): President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday called for empowering women to become ‘Crorepati Didis’, moving beyond the goal of making them ‘Lakhpati Didis’.
Addressing after inaugurating the National Saras Mela 2026 in Vijayawada, the President urged governments to provide women with greater access to resources, opportunities and support to establish and expand women-led enterprises under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission.
Welcoming the organisation of the national-level fair in Vijayawada for the first time outside Delhi, Murmu said the event, held during the Sharannavaratri festivities, would create further opportunities for women across the country. She appreciated the Union Ministry of Rural Development for organising the mela and congratulated Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu for hosting it.
Speaking on the occasion, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minsiter Chandrababu Naidu said the State government had introduced the ‘Swayam AP’ brand to secure national and international recognition for products manufactured by rural women.
He said one lakh self-help group (SHG) members in Andhra Pradesh had become entrepreneurs over the past year, and the government aimed to empower another five lakh women to take up entrepreneurship.
Describing the President’s journey from a humble background in a remote tribal region to the country’s highest constitutional office as an inspiration to girls, the Chief Minister said her life demonstrated how determination and courage could help women overcome challenges.
Naidu said 650 self-help groups were participating in the 14-day National Saras Mela.
He stressed that the event should lead to year-round market opportunities for products made by rural women rather than remain limited to a temporary exhibition.
Andhra Pradesh has 11 lakh self-help groups with 1.10 crore members, collectively recording a turnover of Rs 69,000 crore, he said, adding that products made by these groups reached an estimated 3.5 crore people.
The Chief Minister urged women to move beyond seeking employment and become job creators.
He said products made by rural women would be marketed under the Swayam AP brand through e-commerce and online shopping platforms.
He also encouraged women entrepreneurs to use social media platforms such as WhatsApp and Instagram to expand their businesses and called for strengthening supply chains to connect rural producers with national and international markets.
Naidu said the government was implementing measures to promote women’s economic independence through welfare schemes and entrepreneurship support.
He expressed hope that every self-help group would develop into an economic unit, every woman would become an entrepreneur and every village would emerge as an employment hub.
Emphasising women’s safety, dignity and empowerment, he called for collective efforts to realise the Swarna Andhra vision and urged families to support women in pursuing their aspirations.
TNT KM
