Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan Promotes Swadeshi Movement, Hails SHG Women Artisans

New Delhi– On the occasion of National Handloom Day, Union Minister for Rural Development and Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare,  Shivraj Singh Chouhan, interacted virtually with a vast network of Self-Help Group (SHG) women from across India. The interaction, hosted from Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi, witnessed participation from Minister of State Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, Secretary Shailesh Kumar Singh, and other top officials.

During the session, SHG women shared their personal journeys, expressing how the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) had empowered them economically and elevated their societal roles.

Describing women as sources of creativity and strength, the Union Minister highlighted how handloom production, a heritage craft of India, had once played a pivotal role in the freedom struggle through peaceful resistance. He applauded the exceptional craftsmanship of rural artisans, whose work continues to garner appreciation both in India and abroad.

Chouhan recognised the crucial role of SHGs in reviving traditional crafts and folk art, calling their contributions a living reflection of Indian cultural legacy. Addressing challenges shared by the participants, he pledged support in areas like product promotion, design enhancement, and branding, and advised the women to consistently uphold superior quality standards to thrive in competitive markets.

He also reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal for the public to prefer indigenous goods, underlining that national interest must always come first, even before personal preferences. He appealed to citizens to support domestic products, especially during festivals, transforming consumer behavior into a form of economic nationalism.

In a proud announcement,  Chouhan revealed that over 1.5 crore women have already become ‘Lakhpati Didis’, meaning they now earn more than ₹1 lakh annually through SHG activities. The target is to enable 2 crore women to reach this milestone soon, with the ambition of scaling up to 3 crore in the near future.

Calling upon everyone to strengthen the ‘Vocal for Local’ movement, the Minister envisioned a self-reliant India where local products fuel economic growth and foster cultural pride.

The event concluded with  Chouhan visiting the exhibition stalls set up by SHG women, where he personally appreciated their products and entrepreneurial spirit. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to promoting local industries and helping SHGs flourish.