New Delhi, February 15: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday asserted that women will play the most important role in shaping a developed India, underlining that the government’s policy decisions are designed to empower them across sectors.
He said it has been a matter of pride over the past few years that Indian women are leading in science and technology. From space missions to start-ups, women are making a significant impact, he noted, emphasizing their growing presence in high-growth domains.
“It is my conviction that women will play the most important role in creating a developed India,” the prime minister said.
STEM Hostels and Healthcare Training to Boost Women’s Participation
Highlighting new initiatives, Modi said the government’s decision to set up girls’ STEM hostels in every district is expected to significantly enhance education and innovation among women.He also pointed to the plan to train 1.5 lakh caregivers next year and expand institutions for Allied Health Professionals. According to him, this move will formalize care work, which is largely confined to the informal sector, and create dignified, certified employment opportunities for women.
The initiative, he added, will simultaneously strengthen India’s healthcare capacity while providing structured career pathways for women.
Focus on Sunrise Sectors and Creative Infrastructure
The prime minister said this year’s Budget has factored in emerging sectors of the economy, including animation, VFX, gaming, and digital content.Through AVGC Content Creator Labs in 15,000 schools and 500 colleges, along with the establishment of formal creative infrastructure, the government is aiming to ensure record levels of women’s participation in these sunrise industries.
“These are sunrise sectors, and women’s participation will make them even more vibrant,” Modi said.
Welfare Schemes Supporting Women at Every Stage
Modi stated that the government’s initiatives support women from birth to the fulfillment of their aspirations. He cited schemes such as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Swachh Bharat Mission, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Jal Jeevan Mission, Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, and Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Yojana as flagship initiatives addressing women’s needs and aspirations.He also referred to efforts to encourage entrepreneurship among women through Self-Help Groups, the Mudra Yojana, and the Lakhpati Didis initiative, stating that crores of women have become self-reliant as a result.
“This also boosts women’s social status,” he said.
Community Retail and Rural Industries Strengthened
The prime minister announced an initiative that will use innovative financial models to support community-owned retail outlets.“When women control market access, supply chains, and retail platforms, they move up the value chain. This directly lowers the barriers of capital access, market access, and scale,” he said.
Modi added that sectors such as khadi, village industries, handloom, and handicrafts see significant participation from women. He said the Mahatma Gandhi Gram Swaraj initiative strengthens these sectors by providing training, skills, quality improvement, and market access.
The consolidation of existing schemes under a National Handloom and Handicraft Programme will provide an integrated and focused approach to further empower women engaged in traditional industries, he said.
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