NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked International Women’s Day with a strong message on women’s empowerment, highlighting key government initiatives aimed at uplifting women across the country. In a speech delivered on the occasion, he declared that he is the “richest man in the world” because of the blessings of millions of women.
“Today, on #WomensDay, I can proudly say that I am the richest man in the world, as I have the blessings of crores of mothers and sisters in the bank account of my life, which is continuously increasing. Their blessings are my biggest wealth and strength,” PM Modi said.
The Prime Minister outlined several measures taken by his government to enhance women’s safety and financial independence. He pointed to the implementation of e-FIR, which allows victims to file police reports remotely, and the Zero FIR provision, which enables women to lodge complaints at any police station regardless of jurisdiction. Additionally, he noted that rape victims can now record statements via audio or video calls, while medical examination times have been reduced to seven days to ensure faster justice.
Speaking about women’s economic empowerment, PM Modi highlighted initiatives like the Namo Drone Didi Yojana, which is revolutionising the rural economy by enabling women to earn substantial incomes. “Through initiatives like Bank Sakhi and Beema Sakhi, women are gaining new opportunities to increase their income,” he added.
Referring to the Women’s Reservation Bill, PM Modi added that his government prioritised women’s representation in decision-making. “When the country got its new Parliament, I passed the first bill related to Nari Shakti. What’s even more empowering is that a woman coming from a tribal background, our Honourable President, signed that bill,” he said.
Modi also highlighted government’s efforts in increasing homeownership among women, stating that since 2014, approximately three crore women have become homeowners. He lauded India’s female workforce, particularly in law enforcement, aviation, and science, pointing out that the country has the highest percentage of female pilots globally.
On social welfare, Modi underscored how his government has ensured dignity and convenience for women through initiatives such as constructing toilets, providing financial security with bank accounts, and improving maternal healthcare. “Earlier, working women used to get only 12 weeks of maternity leave, but we have increased this to 26 weeks,” he said.
As part of the Women’s Day celebrations, six inspiring women from diverse fields took over Modi’s social media accounts to share their journeys. These included Chess Grandmaster Vaishali Rameshbabu, “Mushroom Lady of Bihar” Anita Devi, nuclear scientist Elina Mishra, ISRO scientist Shilpi Soni, entrepreneur Ajaita Shah, and accessibility advocate Dr Anjlee Agarwal.