Mission Shakti Has Given Women Their Self Identity: Sujata Karthikeyan

Bhubaneswar: Mission Shakti has given the women of Odisha their true self identity and inculcated among them the leadership quality with which they are today transforming their lives and the society as well. While more than 90 percent of the care economy is contributed by the women, their contribution has never been recognized.

Speaking on the occasion of inauguration of a Women Entrepreneurship training Camp, Director Mission Shakti, Sujata Karthikeyan has said that while no woman has ever been sitting idle and their contribution to the family is most important. When women have finance in their hand they can progress. At this juncture, Mission Shakti in Odisha has given the women their true identity and made them self-reliant. While it is not only centered around loans, SHG women members are today taking various roles such as banking representatives, managers of Mandis and meter readers in urban areas. They are also being trained to achieve digital literacy through various initiatives.

Speaking to the tribal women achievers who came from various districts such as Koraput, Nabarangpur, Malkangiri and Rayagada, the Mission Shakti Director said, during the Covid-19 Pandemic, the Self Help Group members contributed to their full capacity and created an example by manufacturing more than 70 lakh masks. The SHGs have made business to the tune of Rs 3200 crore and contributed to the rural economy.

Participating in the program Soumya Ranjan Patnaik, Editor, Sambad said that, economic empowerment of women only can transform the society. Their contribution has never been calculated in monetary values. He also praised Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for his call for increased participation of women in political sphere. The program was organized virtually in association with Khimji Foundation, FICCI Odisha and Sambad.