Srinagar, July 23: On a sunny July morning, the hum of activity fills the small community center nestled between rows of apple orchards at Baramulla’s Pattan. Inside, a group of women sit in a circle, notebooks open, eyes focused as the trainer explains how to earn a good sum from farming.
Among them is 38-year-old Naseema Bhat, who once relied solely on her husband’s seasonal income. Today, she proudly holds the title of `Lakhpati Didi’.
Naseema is one of 52,203 women across Jammu and Kashmir who have attained this milestone — earning over ₹1 lakh annually through self-help groups, entrepreneurship, and micro-enterprises, thanks to a central government initiative aimed at the economic empowerment of rural women.
“It began with tailoring school uniforms for local children. Now, I supply garments to nearby districts and have even hired two other women,” Naseema said.
The scheme, part of the National Rural Livelihoods Mission, has gained remarkable traction in the Union Territory. From traditional crafts to modern digital services, thousands of women are tapping into skills and markets previously out of reach.
The Centre has allocated ₹8180.53 lakh to the program in J&K, of which ₹2045.13 lakh has already been released. Officials say the rest will follow in phases as more women get onboarded.
Interestingly, Jammu and Kashmir has a better response to this scheme compared to bigger states like Punjab.
In Punjab, 31,191 women have so far attained the status of Lakhpati Didi.
Government officials overseeing the initiative say the rise of `Lakhpati Didis’ is not just improving individual incomes but transforming rural economies. “These women are becoming role models, challenging societal norms, and inspiring the next generation,” said a district-level coordinator.
Workshops, access to credit, market linkages, and digital literacy sessions are regularly organized to ensure scalability and sustainability, he said.
Jammu and Kashmir has seen the formation of over 94,000 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and the emergence of more than 1.84 lakh ‘Lakhpati Didis’ within six months this year, under the Jammu and Kashmir Rural Livelihoods Mission (JKRLM).