As Bharat celebrates a 174 per cent surge in domestic defence production, the true light of economic Deepawali shines through the women who build, innovate, and lead — the modern Lakshmis of an Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Rs 1.27 Lakh Crore: The signal of intent
Bharat’s domestic defence production reached Rs 1.27 lakh crore in FY 2023-24, a remarkable 174 per cent increase since FY 2014-15 (PIB, Ministry of Defence). This number is more than a statistic; it reflects a national awakening. In a world disrupted by supply-chain shocks, inflation, and geopolitical uncertainty, a self-reliant Bharat is no longer optional; it is existential.
The goal of producing, innovating, and exporting from our own soil is not just about economic pride — it’s about power, preparedness, and purpose.
Self-Reliance: From rhetoric to reform
Bharat’s manufacturing output in FY 2024-25 is expected to grow 4.26 per cent, up from 1.4 per cent the previous year. Exports between April and August 2025 reached US $346 billion, a ~ 5.2 per cent year-on-year rise — proof that the engine is running, even if not yet at full throttle. But real self-reliance isn’t measured in tonnes or rupees alone — it lies in who participates in that growth.
Women Entrepreneurs: The backbone of Bharat’s growth
Across every district of Bharat, women are rewriting the story of enterprise. They are not the “supporters” of Atmanirbhar Bharat — they are its architects.
• Women own about 22 per cent of Bharat’s MSMEs, though they represent over 50 per cent of the artisan workforce, according to the Economic Survey 2025. (Economic Times, 2025)
• As per the Udyam portal (Feb 2024), 20.5 per cent of all MSME registrations are women-owned, contributing 18.73 per cent of employment and 10.22 per cent of total turnover.(IBEF Report)
These numbers might look modest, but behind them lie stories of grit — a woman setting up a food-processing unit in Odisha, a textile designer in Surat exporting to Europe, or a coder in Pune leading a digital startup.
Lakshmi in Action: The power of economic shakti
In Bharatiya tradition, Maa Lakshmi embodies prosperity, abundance, and light. Today’s women entrepreneurs mirror that divine force — turning small sparks into national luminosity.
Innovation in Context: Women-led ventures often emerge from the ground up, solving local challenges through sustainable craft, agri-tech, or digital tools.
Inclusive Growth: Every woman-run enterprise multiplies benefits — improving family incomes, rural infrastructure, and community welfare.
Resilience under Pressure: During COVID-19, women’s self-help groups pivoted to produce masks, sanitisers, and PPE kits — saving both livelihoods and lives. Each such story is a diya in the nation’s economic corridor.
Lighting the path ahead
Bharat’s growth story must now expand from GDP graphs to grassroots empowerment.
• Design, not just assemble — Move up the innovation chain.
• Empower, not just employ — Build pipelines for women in leadership and tech.
• Connect, not isolate — Blend self-reliance with global collaboration
• Educate, not exclude — Close the gender gap in STEM and entrepreneurship.
When every woman becomes a Lakshmi — creator of value, custodian of light — Bharat’s economic Deepawali will shine all year round.
Lighting the flame of the future
The Rs 1.27 lakh crore defence milestone is a testament to what collective intent can achieve. But the next trillion-dollar story will be written not in boardrooms alone, but in homes, classrooms, and small factories where women — the Lakshmis of new Bharat — are already creating wealth and wisdom.
