Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today launched the Bihar Rajya Jeevika Nidhi Saakh Sahkari Sangh Limited via video conferencing, calling it a significant step toward strengthening women’s empowerment in the state. He said that the new initiative would provide easier access to financial support for women associated with Jeevika across villages, enabling them to expand their work and businesses. He lauded the fully digital system, where all services are accessible via mobile phones, removing the need for physical visits.
Congratulating the “mothers and sisters of Bihar,” the Prime Minister praised Chief Minister Shri Nitish Kumar and the state government for this innovative initiative. He reiterated that “empowered women are the foundation of a developed India” and highlighted the government’s consistent efforts to reduce difficulties in women’s lives.
Shri Modi underlined several welfare measures already in place, including crores of toilets under Swachh Bharat, pucca houses with women as owners under PM Awas Yojana, Har Ghar Jal for clean drinking water, and Ayushman Bharat for free health care up to ₹5 lakh. He also mentioned the free ration scheme and income-generating initiatives like Lakhpati Didi, Drone Didi, and Bank Sakhi, designed to enhance women’s economic independence.
Emphasizing Bihar’s cultural reverence for maternal power—Matrushakti—the Prime Minister invoked traditions of worshipping Ganga Maiya, Janaki Ji, Chhathi Maiya, and other deities. He described mothers as the very embodiment of dignity and self-respect, lamenting recent abusive remarks made against his late mother from an opposition platform. He called it not just a personal insult but an affront to all mothers, sisters, and daughters of India.
Recalling his own mother’s sacrifices in raising him through poverty, Shri Modi said mothers embody strength, resilience, and values beyond compare. He asserted that those born into privilege cannot understand the struggles of a poor mother, nor can they accept the rise of leaders from humble backgrounds.
The Prime Minister cautioned against regressive mindsets that disrespect women, recalling Bihar’s difficult past when crime and fear dominated daily life. He credited the women of Bihar for repeatedly defeating such forces and urged them to remain vigilant against attempts to undermine their dignity.
Concluding, Shri Modi reaffirmed that empowering women remains his government’s top priority. Linking this mission to building Atmanirbhar Bharat, he urged people to embrace “Har Ghar Swadeshi, Ghar-Ghar Swadeshi” and support local products. He saluted every mother of the nation and sought their blessings for this journey of empowerment.
