Maharashtra’s ‘Lakhpati Didis’ Shine At Independence Day Celebrations

Self-Help Group Women From Satara, Bhandara And Ratnagiri Invited To Red Fort; Anjana Kumbhar To Attend Special Rashtrapati Bhavan Reception

Twenty women from Maharashtra’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs), including award-winning ‘Lakhpati Didis’ and Cluster Level Federation (CLF) leaders, have been invited to participate in the Independence Day flag hoisting at Delhi’s Red Fort. Among them, Satara entrepreneur Anjana Shankar Kumbhar will attend a special reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

In a felicitation event at Maharashtra Sadan, Resident Commissioner R. Vimala praised their achievements, receiving handcrafted products and local delicacies from the women. Vimala, who earlier served as CEO of the ‘Umed’ campaign, recalled leading initiatives that formed 5 lakh SHGs connecting 50 lakh women, producing 18 lakh women farmers and entrepreneurs. She assured full cooperation in promoting their products nationally.

List Of Invited Women
Participants include Rupali Jadhav, Jayashree Jambhode, Shaila Pawar, Vaishali Dharme, Swapnali Jadhav, Suvarna Deshmukh, Mangal Mardhekar, Rubina Mulani, Mangal Hajare, Shobha Ranjane, Chhaya Kadam, Ashwini Kadam, Bhagyashree Jadhav, Saraswati Nikam, Sujata Mahangde (Satara); Usha Kawale, Rekha Chachne (Bhandara); and Asha Jadhav, Pragya Surve (Ratnagiri).

Anjana Kumbhar’s Success Story
From Parali village, Satara, Kumbhar transformed her family’s pottery business into a modern enterprise producing terracotta sculptures, Ganesh idols, earthen cookware, and toys. Under the ‘Umed’ scheme, her group took a ₹6 lakh loan to expand, gaining markets in Pune, Mumbai, Patan, and Satara. Her recognition has reached President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

This recognition at the national stage highlights women’s empowerment and rural entrepreneurship, serving as an inspiration for self-reliance movements across India.