RAIPUR: Lata Sahu, a resident of Soma village of Kabirdham district of Chhattisgarh, is all set to be honoured on the occasion of the Republic Day in New Delhi. Sahu has received an invitation for the event and will be honoured for her inspiring achievements as ‘Lakhpati Didi’ (women earning Rs one lakh or more annually) .
Hailing from a remote locality of Kawardha, Sahu, who earlier used to do farming, joined one of the self-help groups and subsequently benefited from the ‘Bihan’ scheme being operated under the Chhattisgarh State Rural Livelihood Mission, a state initiative as part of the National Rural Livelihood Mission.
Upon joining the self-help group, Sahu was provided with a livelihood loan as part of the ‘Bihan’ scheme which help her setting up her own business of tent and catering work and a canteen. As the business grows with Sahu’s dedication and hard work, it soon led to remarkable growth in Sahu’s income which in turn enabled her to provide employment opportunities to others.
कबीरधाम की लता साहू ने बिहान योजना से जुड़कर आत्मनिर्भरता की नई कहानी लिखी है।
महिला स्व सहायता समूह से सशक्त होकर आज वे अपने पैरों पर खड़ी हैं और अन्य महिलाओं के लिए स्वावलंबन व आत्मविश्वास की प्रेरक मिसाल बन गई हैं।#Bihan #Lakhpati_Didi #Chhattisgarh@KabirdhamDist… pic.twitter.com/9f998meFp2— Panchayat and Rural Development Department, CG (@PRDCgGov) January 12, 2026
Sahu, who is one among the many Lakhpati Didis who benefited from the rural livelihood scheme of the government, now stands as a glaring example of women’s empowerment and self-reliance. Her success story is not only inspiring for other women of the region and state, but also a reflection of how the government’s initiatives related to women empowerment are slowly making a difference in lives of women residing in rural areas.
Sahu credits the Bihan scheme for her growth story, stating that the scheme filled her with confidence. “The scheme gave me confidence and under the guidance of self-help-group, today I am standing firmly on my feet,” she said.
She also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for opening up opportunities to women and expressed her delight over the invitation she received. “By doing canteen and tent work, I have become a Lakhpati Didi and going to Delhi which makes me very happy.”
Speaking about her journey to become Lakhpati Didi, Sahu said “Earlier we used to do farming when some women came and formed our group and encouraged us. They explained us about low-interest loans for livelihood activities and then we started working.”
She noted that women through the scheme are making bricks, incense sticks and painting works which has improved everyone’s financial situation. She also thanked the administration for connecting women with self-employment through the schemes.
The Lakhpati Didi initiative aims to create 3 crore Lakhpati Didis across the country by helping women scale up businesses and contribute to sustainable development across rural Bharat. According to government, there are already over 2 crore Lakhpati Didis in Bharat.
