On the occasion of International Women's Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared with the country stories of inspiring women who not only changed their own lives but helped others around them to become self-reliant. These women, from Jharkhand's 'Lady Tarzan', Bihar's 'Kisan Chachi', to Phulpur's Entrepreneurial Women also featured on PM Modi's programme 'Mann Ki Baath'. Here's how these women inspired others around them and changed their own lives and became self-reliant.
Jamuna Tudu: Inspiration To Green Crusaders
Jamuna Tudu, also known as Jharkhand's 'Lady Tarzan' took on the timber mafia and Naxalites. With her efforts, she not only saved 50 hectares of forest land but also inspired 10,000 women to unite to protect trees and wildlife. Her village plants 18 trees when a child is born and 10 trees on a girl's marriage. A true inspiration for green crusaders, she featured on episode 53 of 'Mann Ki Baat' in 2019.
Rajkumari Devi: Women Who Empower Other Women
Bihar's 'Kisan Chachi' Rajkumari Devi organised 300 women in her area into a self-help group. She motivated them to become financially self-reliant apart from training them in other occupations. She also helped them integrate technology into agriculture. The inspiring story of Rajkumari Devi was featured on episode 53 of 'Mann Ki Baat' in 2019.
Plulpur's Entrepreneurial Women: Self-Skilling For Self-Reliance -- episode 60, 2019
These women from Phulpur prove that conditions can improve with a united front. To help their families and society, the women endured financial hardship and poverty. They learnt slipper-making from Kadipur's women's self-help group, which helped them to become self-reliant. Through the 'Gramin Ajivika Mission' scheme, a slipper-manufacturing facility was also established where slippers are made with advanced machines. Their story was featured on episode 60 of 'Man Ki Baat' in 2019.
Babita Rajput: Wonderful Water Warriors
Young Babita from Budelkhand inspired women in her village to take action for water and motivated them to build a canal to revive a dried-up lake nearby. Through this canal, rainwater began to flow directly into the lake, which is now filled with water. Her inspiring story was featured on episode 74 of 'Mann Ki Baat' in 2021.
Kunni Deori: Bringing Sunshine To Tribal Women's Lives
Kunni Deori of Odisha is enabling other women to earn a living with solar energy. She trains tribal women to spin silk on a solar-powered reeling machine. Solar machines save these tribal women from paying electricity bills and earn a livelihood, thereby making them financially independent. Her inspiring story was featured on episode 94 of 'Mann Ki Baat' in 2022.