CH NEWS, HUBBALLI
The Union government’s core priority is not merely to assist women but to transform them into job creators and self-reliant entrepreneurs in alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Nari Shakti’, stated Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, New and Renewable Energy, and Education, Pralhad Joshi.
Speaking at a distribution event organized in collaboration with the Grama Vikas Society at his office on the Chitaguppi Hospital campus to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday, Joshi distributed sewing machines to trained women beneficiaries. He noted that across the Dharwad Lok Sabha constituency, 14,838 women have completed free tailoring courses so far, with 959 eligible candidates receiving free sewing machines to kickstart independent ventures.
Presenting developmental metrics, the Union Minister highlighted the grassroots impact of Central welfare programs in the constituency. Under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, women hold 5.74 lakh accounts out of the total 10.35 lakh accounts registered in Dharwad, accounting for 55% of total beneficiaries. Furthermore, the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana has provided 1,06,057 LPG gas connections alongside 2,000 cooking stoves in the region. He detailed ongoing expansions under the Lakhpati Didi and Namo Drone Didi initiatives, the latter offering up to 80% subsidies and flight training to women’s Self Help Groups for mechanized agricultural spraying.
Announcing a major healthcare initiative, Joshi revealed that the ‘Arogya Vahini’ mobile clinic scheme will soon launch across Dharwad constituency. Under this program, fully equipped medical screening vehicles will be deployed to each taluk to conduct specialized diagnostics and treatment for breast cancer and gynecological conditions.
Sri Gurusiddha Rajayogindra Mahaswamiji of Moorusavirmath presided over the event and blessed the gathering. Grama Vikas Society President Jagadish Nayak emphasized that comprehensive rural infrastructure and economic self-sufficiency remain pivotal for national progress.