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Context

• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will participate in the Sashakt Nari - Viksit Bharat programme at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa, New Delhi.

Event Inclusions

Drone Demonstrations:

• Namo Drone Didis from 10 different locations nationwide will participate in agricultural drone demonstrations simultaneously.
• The Prime Minister will witness these demonstrations and also hand over drones to 1,000 Namo Drone Didis.

Initiatives for Women Empowerment:

• The Namo Drone Didi and Lakhpati Didi initiatives are part of the Prime Minister's vision to empower women economically, especially in rural areas.
• Lakhpati Didis, who have succeeded with the support of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission, will be felicitated.
• These women are also supporting and motivating other Self-Help Group members for their upliftment.

Financial Support for SHGs:

• Approximately Rs 8,000 crore in bank loans will be disbursed to Self-Help Groups (SHGs) at subsidized interest rates through Bank Linkage Camps set up by banks in each district.
• Around Rs 2,000 crore will be disbursed as the Capitalization Support Fund to SHGs.

Overall Objective:

• The event aims to promote economic empowerment and financial autonomy among women, showcase technological advancements in agriculture through drone demonstrations, and provide financial support to SHGs for their upliftment.

What is Namo Drone Didis initiative?

• Under the initiative, rural women are trained to become drone pilots for agricultural purposes.
• The initiative aims to enhance economic empowerment and financial autonomy among women, especially in rural areas.
• The initiative aims to equip 15,000 women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs) with agricultural drones to assist in tasks such as crop monitoring, spraying fertilisers and sowing seeds. This will also provide additional income opportunities for many women.

MUST READ ARTICLES:

'LAKHPATI DIDI' INITIATIVE: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/lakhpati-didi-initiative

SELF HELP GROUPS (SHGs): https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/self-help-groups-shgs#:~:text=SHGs%20play%20a%20crucial%20role,participate%20in%20the%20Gram%20Sabha

PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Discuss the significance of economic empowerment and financial autonomy among women for sustainable development. Illustrate your answer with examples of government initiatives and their impact in promoting women's economic empowerment in India. How can these initiatives be further strengthened to ensure inclusive growth and gender equality?