Odisha Showcases National Leadership in Women’s Empowerment at ‘Lakhpati Didi’ Conclave

Bhubaneswar: Underscoring its leadership in rural women’s empowerment, the Government of Odisha hosted the National Conclave on “Lakhpati Didi” at the Lok Seva Bhawan Convention Centre in Bhubaneswar. Held over two days, the event brought together policymakers, self-help group (SHG) leaders, and development partners from across the country to celebrate Odisha’s remarkable achievement in enabling over 16 lakh women to earn ₹1 lakh or more annually — the highest in India under the Government of India’s flagship initiative.

The inaugural day of the conclave saw the presence of Hon’ble Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, Development Commissioner Anu Garg, and several senior dignitaries. More than 300 Lakhpati Didis, SHG members, and representatives from State Rural Livelihood Missions (SRLMs) participated, making it a vibrant platform for knowledge exchange and celebration.

A key segment of the first day featured presentations by the SRLMs of Himachal Pradesh, Telangana, and Odisha, who shared innovative models and best practices driving SHG-based entrepreneurship. Adding momentum to the conclave were two significant MoU signings — one with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) to expand SHG market access through e-commerce platforms, and another with the Industree Foundation to build sustainable enterprise ecosystems for rural women.

The day concluded with a felicitation ceremony, where Dr. Monica Priyadarshini, Director of Mission Shakti and State Mission Director of the Odisha Livelihoods Mission (OLM), presented mementos to state representatives. Sumitra Pattnaik, Additional Secretary, delivered the closing remarks. Participants also visited the Mission Shakti Bazaar, which showcased a curated range of Odisha’s traditional handloom, crafts, and SHG-based products.

On the second day, as part of a field immersion programme, participants traveled to Puri to experience the intersection of heritage, enterprise, and empowerment. Facilitated by the district administration, the visit included stops at the Jagannath Temple, Raghurajpur Craft Heritage Village, Chandrabhaga Sea Beach, and the Sun Temple and Museum at Konark. The exposure tour offered valuable insights into how local culture and tourism can reinforce women-led economic development.

The conclave concluded with participants returning to Bhubaneswar inspired by the Odisha model, which blends tradition, innovation, and grassroots enterprise. With renewed motivation, delegates expressed a strong commitment to take the learnings from the conclave back to their states and accelerate the journey of transforming more women into Lakhpati Didis across India.