Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that he wants to make women of self-help groups his associate in the implementation of ongoing development and public welfare programmes in the state. Many schemes like Maternity Assistance, Sambal, Scholarship and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana are being implemented in the state.
Madhya Pradesh Jan-Seva Abhiyan-2 is being run for early redressal of public grievances and pending works. The women of self-help groups should co-operate in the implementation of the campaign and in making the benefits available to the eligible people within the time limit. The Chief Minister directed to develop definite channels to engage self-help groups in the implementation of schemes and programmes. He said that this is a campaign to change people’s lives, to bring happiness and smile on their faces in which he hoped to acquire every possible co-operation from women.
Chief Minister Chouhan was in a discussion with the presidents of cluster level organisations of women’s self-help groups at the Chief Minister’s residence.
Buy your essentials from Aajeevika stores only
Chouhan said that the women of self-help groups should also run the movement for social reforms. Groups should work for activities and awareness at their level for children’s education, prevention of child marriage and de-addiction. Chief Minister said that in order to strengthen the Aajeevika Mission, it is necessary that we get our essential items from Aajeevika stores only. The number of Aajeevika stores and Didi cafes will be increased in the state. The Aajeevika Mission is making significant contribution in the growth and development of state. The Chief Minister also apprised about arrangements for conducting medical and engineering studies in Hindi including CM Rise School, Medhavi Vidyarthi Yojana.
Our schemes are an outcome of women’s pain
Chouhan said that women empowerment is the mission of my life. God made son and daughter equal, but due to historical reasons, daughters were considered of secondary status in the family and society. Sisters and daughters have become machines to work in the house. She was neither given any respect nor honoured in the male dominated society. The word Abla which means docile, became synonymous with women. The birth of daughters was considered a curse. The State Government initiated efforts to change this agonizing and painful situation. Efforts were made so that the daughter is considered as a blessing and not a burden. Be it Ladli Lakshmi Yojana, which makes a daughter a millionaire as soon as she is born, or the Mukhyamantri Kanya Vivah-Nikah Yojana, for assistance in marriage, these efforts were the result of this thinking. Our schemes are an outcome of the pain of women. 50 percent reservation for women in panchayat and urban bodies, recruitment of more women in police and other government services and exemption given to encourage registry of immovable property in the name of women showed the maximum effect of women empowerment everywhere in the state. Women are performing every responsibility assigned to them very well. At the same time, they are carving their own identity. The title of Sarpanch Pati is a direct proof of this social revolution.
Ladli Bahna Yojana will improve nutrition in children and condition of households
Chouhan said that Mukhyamantri Ladli Bahna Yojana has been started only for self-respect and self-reliance of women. From June 10, Rs one thousand will be deposited in the accounts of women every month to ensure that they are not depended on others for their small needs. This day should be celebrated as a festival in the state. A new chapter of women empowerment is starting in the state with this scheme. It will improve both the nutrition of the children and the economic condition of the family. Under the Mukhyamantri Kanya Vivah Yojana also, the amount given to the newly married couple has been increased from Rs 49 thousand to Rs 51 thousand. The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and the pattas will be issued in the names of both husband and wife.
Screening of advertisement films focusing on the contents of Aajeevika Store
Chouhan welcomed the presidents of 800 cluster level organisations involved in the discussion by showering flowers and inaugurated the programme by lighting the lamp with the women. Earlier, the Madhya Pradesh anthem was sung at the beginning of the programme. Chief Minister Shri Chouhan released the book ‘Step towards self-reliance – ten years journey of Madhya Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission’. During the discussion, women presidents apprised about their achievements.
Interaction with the presidents of cluster level organisations
• Kunda of Balaghat district is famous in the area as ‘Road Roller Wali Kunda’. MA in Sanskrit Smt. Kunda told that she did MSW before joining the group. She expanded the shop by taking a loan, this increased her income. With the help of the cluster and a bank loan, the group bought a road roller. With this, 20 roads have been built so far and the group has earned an income of Rs 4 lakh. Chief Minister Shri Chouhan appreciated the Sanskrit shlokas recited so well by Smt. Kunda.
• Shakun Patel of Katni told that the girls of the area were trained by the group for employment-oriented works. Due to this these girls got employment in Hyderabad. The daughters who had not even dreamed of a train, flew from Bhopal to Hyderabad. Presently these girls from rural areas are confidently working in Hyderabad.
• Manju Katara of Jhabua informed about the activities undertaken by her to make the women of the area literate. She told that none of the members of her group used thumb impression anymore. The Nari Adhikar Manch is also being run by the group.
• Anita Dangi of Rajgarh district told that the money of the village should remain in the village, for this purpose women are given training to operate business suitable in the village. Along with this, every kind of help, co-operation and guidance is being provided in conducting economic activity. This has resulted in rotation of crores at the cluster level.
• Rekha Barman, associated with Shahdol’s cluster, told that women are being given training in audit, book keeping, record keeping etc. Now these women are also helping in the audit of other groups.
• Short advertisement films named “Aajeevika Ke Rang – Khushiyon Ke Sang and Nai Umang” have also been made to publicise and promote the purchase of products available on Aajeevika Store and Aajeevika Mart portal.
