Union Minister for Rural Development and Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan today participated in the Saras Food Festival organised at Connaught Place, New Delhi. Ministers of State in the Ministry of Rural Development Shri Kamlesh Paswan and Dr. Chandrasekhar Pemmasani, Secretary Shailesh Kumar, Additional Secretary Shri Charanjit Singh (DAY-NRLM), Joint Secretary (Rural Livelihoods) Ms Smriti Sharan and other officials of the Ministry were also present in the event.
Shri Chouhan stated that the Saras Mela has become extremely captivating, with the aroma of traditional dishes prepared by the women self-help group members drawing in the people of Delhi. Our country is truly amazing, with its diverse languages, attire, traditions, and cuisine, yet we remain united. India is like a vibrant bouquet, where colourful flowers bloom together, and those same colours are reflected in the diverse food we have.
Recalling his visit to Jharkhand, he said that there is Shab-e-Azam Amba which means delicious food. It is run by Adivasi Didi in which traditional food is served. Shri Chouhan also mentioned serving of traditional food by the sisters at Garhkaleva in Chhattisgarh.
While praising the traditional cuisine of states like Bihar, Rajasthan, Punjab, Kerala, Karnataka etc., he said that our values of life, our food are all amazing. The specialty of this traditional food is that it is beneficial for health.
The specialty of this fair is that this fair is being run by Didi's. Shri Chouhan said that during his tenure as Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, he had opened a Didi Cafe within the Chief Minister's residence. Even today, the Didis of Ajeevika Mission run those cafes.
Whatever work the sisters do, they do it seriously. The sisters strive to ensure that their work is flawless. Having a Lakhpati Didi among them is truly a remarkable achievement. Union Minister Shri Chouhan stated that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's resolution is women empowerment, and his life's mission is to uplift sisters and daughters from poverty, Why should they remain poor?
We say to women, "You are Narayani, the embodiment of infinite power; whatever you decide to do, go ahead and do it." It is the mission of the Rural Development Ministry to empower the women of India, ensuring they are strengthened and not left vulnerable.
Economic empowerment has its own importance when one is strong; educational, social, political and economic empowerment. He told that the economically empowered sister told me that being empowered has increased her respect in the home.
Today, 10 crore sisters are associated with 90 lakh self-help groups, out of which 1 crore 15 lakh 254 sisters have become lakhpati sisters and the rest of the sisters also have to become lakhpati sisters. We have to move ahead from this and the future resolution is to gradually turn the livelihood mission into an industry.
This journey that started from Lakhpati will reach crorepati. Shri Chouhan said in a poetic style that the times have to change, it is not my aim to just create a ruckus, my only desire is that this situation should change.
Women empowerment will empower India, strengthen the society and change the country. Justice for half the population is our resolution. We will move forward in that direction with all our strength. We will move forward with full force in this direction.
He extended congratulations to the entire team behind the Saras Mela and warmly invite the people of Delhi to attend the Saras Mela.