Democracy Lives in Villages, Not Just Parliament: VP Radhakrishnan

• Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan calls Lakhpati Didi a beacon of women empowerment and grassroots democracy.
• Lauds Chhattisgarh’s transformation from power scarcity to surplus and major strides in healthcare.
• Credits Centre, State and security forces for curbing Naxalism through collective will.
• Says democracy thrives in gram sabhas, panchayats, and self-help groups — the real heartbeat of India.

GG News Bureau
Rajnandgaon, 5th Nov: Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan on Wednesday praised the ‘Lakhpati Didi’ initiative, describing it as a shining model of women-led development and a living embodiment of grassroots democracy.

Addressing the Lakhpati Didi Sammelan in Rajnandgaon, the Vice-President said the initiative reflects the strength and determination of India’s women — the Didis — who have turned challenges into opportunities. “Lakhpati Didi is not just about income; it represents dignity, independence, and confidence,” he remarked.

He lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to create three crore Lakhpati Didis, calling it a transformative step toward women-led growth. The initiative has empowered over two crore women nationwide and five lakh women in Chhattisgarh through self-help groups (SHGs) and income-generating activities.

Acknowledging the contribution of the Chhattisgarh Government and Rajnandgaon district administration, Radhakrishnan said over one lakh women have been connected through 9,663 SHGs, receiving more than ₹700 crore in financial assistance. The state has also disbursed ₹13,000 crore under the Mahila Samman Yojana, benefiting women in 20 instalments.

He highlighted that democracy extends beyond Parliament, thriving in gram sabhas, panchayats, and SHGs where citizens “discuss, decide, and develop together.” The Lakhpati Didi movement, he said, strengthens democracy’s roots through participation and transparency.

Applauding Chhattisgarh’s journey from power scarcity to a power-surplus state, the Vice-President also commended its healthcare achievements, such as cataract-free drives and Ayushman Bharat implementation.

Radhakrishnan credited the Centre, State, and security forces for effectively curbing Naxalism, calling peace and progress in the region “a result of collective political will and development-oriented governance.”

Drawing a parallel to the Indian women’s cricket team’s recent World Cup victory, he said women in Chhattisgarh are driving a similar social transformation with courage and resilience.

He also recalled the creation of Chhattisgarh in 2000 under former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s leadership, expressing pride in supporting the statehood Bill as an MP.

The Vice-President concluded by expressing confidence that Chhattisgarh and Rajnandgaon would continue to lead the way in empowerment, democracy, and culture. During the event, he also viewed demonstrations of social initiatives led by women’s groups, including assistive devices made by Divyangjan, and lauded their role in community development.