Raipur, January 6, 2025 Divya Nishad, a Lakpati Didi from Kusmi village in Rajnandgaon district, has been selected to attend the prestigious At-Home Reception hosted at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi, on Republic Day, January 26, 2025.

President Droupadi Murmu will honor her at the event, which will feature ten exemplary Lakpati Didis from across the country.

Expressing her joy, Divya Nishad shared, “It is an honor to represent Lakpati Didis at Rashtrapati Bhavan. This recognition is a testament to the transformation in my life through the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) and the Bihan initiative. My family and I are thrilled.” From Struggles to Success Divya’s journey is one of resilience and determination. After losing her husband to COVID-19 in 2021, her family faced severe financial hardship. With no prior work experience, she struggled to provide for her children.

However, support from the women in her self-help group inspired her to take charge of her life. Joining the NRLM's Bihan program proved to be a turning point. She underwent training and gradually gained the confidence to engage in various income-generating activities.

Divya became involved in multiple roles, including serving as a bank sakhi (bank facilitator), bank mitra, and group leader. She also started small businesses, including a saree and ready-made clothing shop in Bharregaon village and a grocery store at home.

Through loans provided by her self-help group, Divya expanded her ventures, earning an annual income of over ₹4 lakh, or approximately ₹33,000 per month. She recently constructed a permanent home and continues to pursue various livelihood activities, including tailoring and other entrepreneurial initiatives.

Lakpati Didi Scheme: Empowering Women Divya Nishad is among ten Lakpati Didis chosen nationwide for the At-Home Reception.

The Lakpati Didi scheme, an initiative by the central government, aims to empower rural women economically. Under this program, women receive interest-free loans of up to ₹5 lakh to start their businesses.

The recognition of Divya Nishad’s efforts highlights the impact of the scheme and serves as an inspiration for women across the country to achieve financial independence and success through determination and hard work.