Today's welfare measures aim to empower: FM

NT Correspondent

Dharmasthala

Welfare measures were always there, but what changed now is that these measures are not patronising the beneficiaries, instead they understand that people are capable of producing products that make profit, said Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday. Sitharaman inaugurated the dividend distribution programme for Self-Help Group (SHG) members under the Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project (SKDRDP), an organisation with over four decades of dedicated service in social and economic development. "Today, welfare happens, but women are given self-respect by saying ‘I am earning my profit.' It is not just kindness but an understanding that they are capable of adding value, creating something, and doing something that has market potential," said Sitharaman.

She further stated that empowerment is the key to eradicating poverty and praised organisations like SKDRDP for their role in women-led development. According to her, rural women are at the forefront of village development, identifying projects suited to them and determining how they wish to contribute. "Since independence, Dharmasthala has been a pioneer in rural development, ensuring that women in villages have been empowered," she added.

Sitharaman noted that the success of institutions like SKDRDP has influenced government policies, with models being adapted across Karnataka. "All of Karnataka benefits from Dharamsthala's work, and India benefits from the knowledge gained,'' she said.