“Mata Ahilyabai Symbolises Women’s Role in Nation-Building”: PM Modi in Bhopal

Addressing a large gathering of women at the Mahila Sashaktikaran Mahasammelan in Bhopal, the Prime Minister said, “Mata Ahilyabai stands as a symbol of the invaluable contribution of women in nation-building.”

Standing in the heart of Madhya Pradesh — a region once shaped by Ahilyabai’s progressive rule — PM Modi recalled how the 18th-century queen led with courage and wisdom during challenging times. “She was not only a ruler but a guardian of India’s cultural heritage, a reformer who empowered the weak and uplifted society,” he said.

The Prime Minister’s speech was not only a tribute to history but also a call to action. Drawing parallels between Ahilyabai’s legacy and today’s India, Modi underscored the government’s commitment to women-led development. He pointed to schemes that have helped millions of women become homeowners, entrepreneurs, and even drone pilots. “For the first time, crores of women are being registered as owners of their homes. This is real empowerment,” he said to resounding applause.

मध्य प्रदेश के भोपाल में आज लोकमाता देवी अहिल्याबाई होल्कर के 300वें जयंती समारोह का हिस्सा बनना मेरे लिए परम सौभाग्य की बात है। https://t.co/IHWiqMsese

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 31, 2025

The event also saw the launch and foundation-laying of key development projects, including Indore’s metro and improved air connectivity for Datia and Satna. PM Modi remarked that such initiatives would boost both economic growth and opportunities for the youth and women of Madhya Pradesh.

Looking back at Ahilyabai’s visionary governance, he praised her support for agriculture, artisans, and tribal communities — values that he said continue to inspire present-day policy. “She encouraged widow remarriage, gave women rights to property, and raised the age of marriage for girls — centuries ahead of her time,” Modi noted.

The Prime Minister also spoke with pride about India’s women in science, banking, and defense. Citing the recent success of Operation Sindoor, a major counter-terrorism effort, he said, “It has become a symbol of the strength of our women power,” highlighting the role of BSF women soldiers on the frontlines.

In closing, PM Modi called the passing of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, which reserves one-third of seats for women in legislatures, a historic moment. “From villages to Parliament, our daughters are scripting a new chapter of progress,” he said.

As the event concluded, many women in the audience were visibly moved — not just by the reverence shown to Ahilyabai Holkar, but by the sense that her legacy is being lived today in countless homes, fields, labs, and border posts across the nation.