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In her <keyword id="19906106" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Interim-Budget" source="keywords">Interim Budget</keyword> speech in February 2024, <keyword id="20385790" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Union-Finance-Minister" source="keywords">Union Finance Minister</keyword> <keyword id="19916618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nirmala-Sitharaman" source="keywords">Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword> celebrated what she termed as the Modi government's landmark achievement: unleashing 'nari shakti' or women's power through various initiatives since 2014. Among these, the creation of one crore 'Lakhpati Didis' — women whose annual household income exceeds one lakh rupees — under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), has garnered significant attention. <h2>The hype around it </h2>Imagine being a <keyword id="20416259" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Lakhpati-Didi" source="keywords">Lakhpati Didi</keyword> — a rural woman whose annual household income exceeds Rs. 1 lakh. These women are not just financial achievers; they are community leaders who inspire others through their entrepreneurial journeys. Their success stories highlight the transformative impact of self-help groups (SHGs) and collective action in rural India. Launched amid much fanfare on August 15, 2023 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself, the 'Lakhpati Didi' scheme aims to empower women through diverse skill development programs, from producing LED bulbs to operating agricultural drones. Partnering with entities like Patanjali, Flipkart, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the initiative also focuses on branding and marketing these products, ostensibly connecting women with credit lines and MUDRA loans for financial support. Almost an year on, the scheme is all set to get some well-deserved boost in the Budget 2024 to be presented on July 23. However, the time also apt to examine if it has actually contributed to <keyword id="20009191" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="women-empowerment" source="keywords">women empowerment</keyword> in the country. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111915324" title="Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to table Economic Survey in Parliament today" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> <h2>The reality check </h2>Critics argue that such schemes may inadvertently tether women's SHGs to corporate networks, potentially benefiting transnational agribusiness giants aligned with the government. Programs like 'Namo Drone Didi', allocated Rs. 500 crore in the Interim Budget, exemplify this trend by integrating women into digital agriculture, albeit under the influence of corporate agendas. Further, while the Interim Budget championed the narrative of women's economic prosperity, it failed to adequately address their basic needs. Despite claims of empowerment, essential schemes such as PM Awas Yojana (Rural) and Har Ghar Jal have seen significant budgetary underspending, raising concerns about the government's commitment to women's welfare beyond mere rhetoric. For instance, the underutilisation of funds in Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) and the shrinking allocations for crucial subsidies like nutrition and education further highlight the disconnect between budgetary outlays and on-ground impact. This trend suggests a shift in responsibility towards state governments without commensurate support from the Union government, leaving vulnerable populations like widows and rural women at risk. Overall, the well-intentioned narrative around the scheme needs better translation and execution on ground to achieve desired outcomes. <h2>Looking ahead </h2>Until now, the budgetary allocation for women-centric programs have remained disproportionately low, with the Ministry of Women and Child Development having been allocated Rs 26,000 crore in 2024-25, an increase of 2.52% compared to the previous budget. This paltry investment underscores a broader pattern of neglecting systemic issues such as gender-based violence, social discrimination and pro-corporate stance. As Budget 2024 approaches, stakeholders eagerly anticipate policies that not only boost economic growth but also empower rural women as entrepreneurs and leaders. While Lakhpati Didi stands poised to empower rural women with opportunities and support, more steps are needed to make it more sustainable. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111689743" title="Union Budget 2024: A handy FAQ guide to decode the upcoming budget" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>

Budget 2024: Can Lakhpati Didi Yojana’s reality inspire better focus on women?

Terming the state budget as "revolutionary," Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath <keyword id="20040955" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="shinde" source="keywords">Shinde</keyword> said that this budget in a true sense empowers women, youth, and farmers through various schemes worth Rs 1 lakh crore. He said that this budget is revolutionary and would make the future of weaker sections, farmers, and youth bright. Stating that the budget was a resolve to give a new direction to Maharashtra, <keyword id="20062947" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="CM-Shinde" source="keywords">CM Shinde</keyword> said that this budget has an "unending chant of the <keyword id="22227448" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="development-of-Maharashtra" source="keywords">development of Maharashtra</keyword>". Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister <keyword id="19941791" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ajit-Pawar" source="keywords">Ajit Pawar</keyword> on Saturday presented the additional budget for the year 2024-25 in the state assembly. The Finance Minister had presented the interim budget in February. Stating that the budget has important provisions to help women and unemployed youth to stand on their own feet, the Chief Minister said that "Chief Minister Majhi Laadki Baheen scheme, free vocational education to girl students, Chief Minister Annapoorna scheme which gives 3 cylinders per year to eligible families, project worth Rs 15 thousand crores for providing free electricity to farmers during day time, Chief Minister Baliraja electricity concession scheme which provides free power to farmers using agricultural pumps, training to 50 thousand youth every year to convey government schemes to masses and resolve to remove poverty of the weaker sections of the society have made this budget special." He said that provisions like free education to girl students for engineering, pharmacy, and medical education along with degree and diploma courses along with Rs. 1500 per month to every woman prove that the government has expressed its responsibility towards women of the state. Stating that the budget proves that it stands behind the farmers, Chief Minister Shinde said that the issue of food-grain storage would be resolved through schemes like Godown per village. He said that the lives of farmers would be transformed through various provisions in the budget which include financial assistance to cotton and soybean growers, special campaigns to complete irrigation projects, and solar pumps on demand. Pointing out that the decision to celebrate the coronation of <keyword id="19966480" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Chhatrapati-Shivaji-Maharaj" source="keywords">Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj</keyword> through a ceremony every year at Fort Raigad is important, the Chief Minister said that other decisions include recommending the annual Pandharpur pilgrimage for the UNESCO World Heritage along with the rock sculptures in Konkan, Dahi Handi celebration are efforts towards the preservation of history and culture of the state. He said that the budget provides Rs 20,000 to every Dindi (the troops participating in the annual Pandharpur pilgrimage) and it has made the announcement of making arrangements for medical treatment of pilgrims through the Chief minister's medical relief cell and provision for Nirmal Waari show commitment towards the annual pilgrim and Warkari sect. He said that a separate Warkari Mahamandal or separate Corporation for the annual pilgrims would be set up. Stating that massive investment would be made in priority sectors and the <keyword id="21313056" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="green-hydrogen-sector" source="keywords">green hydrogen sector</keyword>, he said that it would generate employment in a big way. He said that the chief minister's youth training scheme would impart training to ten lakh youngsters every year and a centre of excellence would be established in ITI's which would benefit the youngsters. Stating that the Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar scheme and Shrawan Bal seva state pension scheme assistance would be raised are strong steps CM Shinde said that providing for housing of various sections of society, Anand Dighe housing scheme for differently abled amply proves that the state government is taking strong steps towards removing the poverty in the state. The chief minister said that Metro routes worth 449 Kms in Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur along with 23 thousand kilometer road stretch works under Chief Minister Gram Sadak scheme, construction of buildings of village Panchayats under Balasaheb Thackeray memorial Matoshree Gram Panchayat scheme, PM e-bus scheme in municipal corporation areas and other infrastructure works would be undertaken in a big way which would result in speedy development of the state. The monsoon session of the Maharashtra Assembly began on Thursday (June 28) and will go on till July 12. This is the last legislative session before the state assembly polls, in the next four months.

Budget resolves to give new direction to Maharashtra: CM Shinde

<ul><li>Under the <keyword id="3345027" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="PM-Mudra-Yojana">PM Mudra Yojana</keyword>, 75% are <keyword id="7281463" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="women-beneficiaries">women beneficiaries</keyword>. </li><li>Pradhan Mantri Matritva Yojana too is empowering women, said Finance Minister Piyush Goyal. </li><li>The government has delivered 60 million free LPG connections under the Ujjawala scheme. </li></ul>Presenting the <keyword id="7190005" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="interim-budget-2019">Interim Budget 2019</keyword>, Finance Minister Piyush Goyal spoke about how the government is pushing for <keyword id="112877" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Women-empowerment">women empowerment</keyword> in India. He said that the government initiatives like PM Mudra Yojana with 75% women beneficiaries, introduction of 26 weeks of maternity leave and Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (the maternity benefit program run by the government) are all empowering women. He said that from women development, the government has turned around its mantra to women-led development. Keeping the upcoming elections in mind, Goyal said that his party – the Bharatiya Janata Party – had promised in its election manifesto to transform the quality of life for women and ensure that “no woman has to shed tears” for cooking. The government has delivered 60 million free LPG connections under the Ujjawala scheme and aims to cover the target of all 80 million households soon.

Budget 2019: Finance Minister Piyush Goyal calls for women-led development

New Delhi, Mar 3 () Women account for over 81 per cent of the total beneficiaries under the 'Stand Up India' scheme with loans worth Rs 16,712 crore sanctioned for them in nearly 4 years time, the finance ministry said on Tuesday.In the past six years, the ministry has launched various schemes which have special provisions for empowerment of women. "These schemes have financially empowered women to lead a better life and chase their dreams of being an entrepreneur," the ministry said, ahead of the International Women's Day on March 8. The Stand Up India scheme was launched on April 5, 2016, to facilitate bank loans between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 1 crore to at least one Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) borrower and at least one woman borrower per bank branch of Scheduled Commercial Banks for setting up a greenfield enterprise."As on February 17, 2020, more than 81 per cent account holders under Stand Up India Scheme are women. 73,155 accounts have been opened for women. Rs 16,712.72 crore has been sanctioned for women account holders and Rs 9,106.13 crore has been disbursed for women account holders," the ministry said in a statement.Besides, under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY), 70 per cent of the total loan borrowers are women. PMMY was launched on April 8, 2015 for providing loans up to Rs 10 lakh to the non-corporate, non-farm small/micro enterprises. These Mudra loans are given by commercial Banks, RRBs, small finance banks, MFIs and NBFCs. "As on January 31, 2020, more than 22.53 crore loans have been sanctioned since launch of the scheme. Out of this, more than 15.75 crore loans extended to women, thereby 70 per cent of the total loan borrowers are women," the ministry added.Moreover, Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) was launched on August 28, 2014. The scheme envisages universal access to banking facilities with at least one basic banking account for every adult. It has 38.13 crore beneficiaries."As on February 19, 2020, 20.33 crore beneficiaries out of 38.13 crore PMJDY beneficiaries are women which amounts to 53 per cent," it said. In the social sector scheme Atal Pension Yojana (APY), launched on May 9, 2015, more than 93 lakh subscribers (43 per cent) out of a total of around 2.15 crore subscribers are women. The scheme offers guaranteed minimum monthly pension of Rs 1,000 -Rs 5,000 at the age of 60 years. JD ANUANU

Rs 16,712 cr loan sanctioned to women under 'Stand Up India' scheme: FinMin

New Delhi, Jan 22 () Steel Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday launched a voluntary service scheme of SAIL where the employees of the PSU would contribute in the areas of education, health, women empowerment and nutrition, among others.
 The scheme, SAIL Employees Rendering Volunteerism &amp; Initiatives for Community Engagement (SERVICE), will be operational from January 24 which is the foundation day of the PSU. 
 SAIL Chairman A K Chaudhary said the scheme aims the contribution of its employees in "giving back to the society and work for the community" 
Volunteers can register on the portal of the SERVICE scheme mentioning the areas in which they are willing to work.
In his address, Pradhan said, "This year marks 70 years of our constitution coming into effect. President of India Ramnath Kovind has said that while being alert about their rights, citizens should also be conscious of their duties. Through SERVICE, employees of SAIL will come forward to perform their social duties voluntarily and contribute towards social welfare and nation building."
He also exhorted other PSUs to encourage their employees to work voluntary for society based on their interest areas.
Chaudhary said that the PSU expects that its about 70,000 employees and 60,000 contractual workers will register for the initiative. ABI MR
MR

Pradhan launches SAIL SERVICE scheme

Inside the life of LuLaRoe's controversial founder, whose small dress business blew up into a leggings empire that's been accused of operating as a pyramid scheme

The world celebrates <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/This-WomensDay-let-us-salute-these-bravehearts/articleshow/51311022.cms">#InternationalWomen’sDay</a> with the theme <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Womens-Day-Pay-Parity-is-a-joke-The-reality-is-shocking/articleshow/51305041.cms">‘Pledge for Parity’</a> that emphasizes the idea that <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/5-women-entrepreneurs-who-made-a-mark-in-male-dominated-spaces-of-the-industry-WomensDay/articleshow/51309257.cms">gender equality</a> shouldn’t just be a slogan but should translate into a reality. To celebrate this idea, every organization is showcasing their gender equality report and women empowerment schemes introduces over the years. Every man in every woman’s life is pampering her with gifts. As the world celebrates #Women’sDay in varied ways, these three Indian companies is doing something unique.

These 3 Indian companies are celebrating #Women’sDay uniquely

Sarah Perl, who goes by the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trumps-victory-shows-the-flagging-influence-of-mainstream-media-2024-11">TikTok</a> handle @hothighpriestess, says she has a successful career and relationship because she manifested both. Many of her recent posts focus on manifesting love, and they're particularly aimed at young women who want romantic relationships with men. The 23-year-old talks to her viewers about how they can manifest a text back from a guy within 24 hours. Sometimes she even manifests the aim of her videos: "I am manifesting that this video only reaches the people that are on the brink of the greatest up level of their entire life," she says in one post that has more than a million views.She's not just saying that to the universe; she's feeding the TikTok <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/forget-ai-algorithm-apocalypse-driving-humans-lives-data-stock-market-2024-4">algorithm</a>, which likely sends her content to other young women. To her, manifestation and the code powering TikTok are inextricably entwined. "Obviously the algorithm is going to work its magic," says Perl, who has amassed 2.5 million followers since 2020. "I view manifesting almost like the For You page: Where you put your attention is where your life will end up going." If people dwell on negative content, that's what they'll be fed. But if they like videos with a positive outlook, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-lawsuit-algorithm-children-internal-documents-revealed-2024-10">TikTok</a> may give them more.Perl, who lives in Los Angeles and also offers paid online courses on manifesting, is one of many influencers who specialize in manifestation: the new-age idea that positive thinking and visualization can bring people closer to their goals. The trend has gained traction since the height of the pandemic, but manifesting remains a broad term. It can cover meditating and journaling as part of a spiritual practice as well as posting memes about achieving great fortune. Pop stars Dua Lipa and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ariana-grande-eternal-sunshine-album-review-tracklist-breakdown-2024-3">Ariana Grande</a> have professed their beliefs in the power of manifesting.Online, the trend is owned predominantly by Gen Z women. They use social media and self-help apps and even artificial intelligence to manifest romance, financial stability, career success, and cozy homes. These are all things that for generations have felt out of reach for many young people, but perhaps none more than Gen Zers, whose high-school and college years were further destabilized by the pandemic. They're facing a glut of algorithmic-driven dating apps, a tumultuous housing market, and lots of uncertainty about the future. Some faceless TikTok accounts even encourage people to like posts or reshare their sounds in order to find love, farming engagement the way millennials once shared email chains threatening years of bad luck. One account puts affirmations on top of videos of nature; others suggest that a video's sound can help start a period of good luck. For Gen Z, the divide between the divine and the digital can be razor thin.Gen Z may be the least religious generation in American history. In a 2021 survey from the Survey Center on American Life, 34% of Gen Zers said they had no <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/rise-of-godgpt-religions-christians-using-chatbots-spiritual-formation-2024-11">religious affiliation</a>, compared with 29% of millennials and 18% of baby boomers. But Amy Wu, the founder of Manifest, an app launched this summer that uses generative AI to send affirmations to its users based on their goals, says that even though more young people are turning their backs on church, they still "want to believe in something greater."So far, Wu says, nearly half of the desires people put in the app are related to love and romance. About 70% of Manifest's users are women, and most users are18 to 35. Wu says many come to the app feeling sad, mad, depressed, anxious, and lonely. She envisions Manifest as a tool to help process those feelings that are perhaps exacerbated by the digital world. Rather than doomscrolling and comparing themselves to others on social media, Manifest's users are taking part in a private experience where they're encouraged to briefly meditate."We're not a Magic 8 Ball of trying to guarantee you a certain outcome or predict the future," Wu says. "It's taking that very real concern that person might have in that moment and then giving them reassurance." For example, if someone expresses uncertainty about a crush's interest in them, Manifest might generate less-specific, more-evergreen affirmations, like "I honor and trust my feelings and intuition as I navigate this relationship," or "I am worthy of love and kindness." Young people are also turning to older platforms, reenvisioning them as places for manifestation. Gen Zers now make up Pinterest's largest cohort, accounting for about 40% of active users. Searches for "romantic manifestation," for example, have increased seventeenfold from last year, and posts related to "love scrapbooking" are up 250%. Users are also searching for financial empowerment — searches for "lots of money aesthetic" are up 953% year over year.Sydney Stanback, a global trends and insights lead at Pinterest, argues that young people using the internet to envision their futures are "bringing a new level of warmth to these platforms.""It's allowing that kind of spirituality that exists in real life to be transferred over to these spaces," Stanback says. "They're using Pinterest to craft a world in which they want to live in. And then they're going out and acting on it."Shanna Watkins sees her manifestation journey similarly. "There would be no manifesting for me, in the way that I do now that's super effective, without technology," says Watkins, a 28-year-old in Dallas who works as a public-relations and communications manager at AT&amp;T. Raised Christian, Watkins began questioning aspects of faith and eventually discovered more about manifesting on YouTube. Now she uses a personal-growth app called Mindvalley and writes affirmations in her notes app on her phone. She also says she has jotted down notes about her dreams and asked ChatGPT to analyze their content. She says she found the generative-AI chatbot's read reliable, summarizing feelings she was having that might have been represented in the dreams. Tools like this, she says, "can be another channel for my inner being and my consciousness to speak to me and send messages."The loose definition of manifesting means there are no rules or standards around it. "The whole manifestation buzzword and how it's being thrown around so loosely, I do think it can be harmful," says Emily McDonald, a mentor and coach with a large following on Instagram and TikTok who has studied neuroscience. To her, manifestation is rooted in neuroscience and about rewiring your brain to perceive a reality that's aligned with the things you want. To do so means setting intentions and visualizing outcomes — not just having a thought and expecting it to come true.There's a thin line between sharing the power positive thinking and visualization and selling a get-rich-quick scheme. Researchers at the University of Queensland in Australia found that people who said they practiced manifesting were more likely to see themselves as successful and hopeful that they could achieve success in the future — but they were also more likely to seek out risky investments, to think they could reach success quickly, and even to have gone through bankruptcy.Whether or not you believe manifesting works isn't really the point. People who engage with this content on social media or use tools to manifest better futures for themselves are trying to act in a world where money and love feel out of their control. "They want support in their lowest times and even at their highest times," Wu says. "In this social media, post-COVID world, people want a sense of control in their lives." It will take more than a manifestation to attain it.<a target="_blank" rel="" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/author/amanda-hoover">Amanda Hoover</a> is a senior correspondent at Business Insider covering the tech industry. She writes about the biggest tech companies and trends.

Gen Z is obsessed with manifesting their way to riches and romance

<keyword id="19956758" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Finance-Minister" source="keywords">Finance Minister</keyword> <keyword id="19916618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nirmala-Sitharaman" source="keywords">Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword> on Tuesday presented the <keyword id="20387181" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Union-Budget-2024-25" source="keywords">Union Budget 2024-25</keyword> after the Cabinet gave its approval. In her intial comments, Sithamraman said India's economic growth will be a shining exception. "We are determined all Indians regardless of religion and age achieve life goals and aspirations," Sitharman said. The Finance Minister presented first Union Budget of the Modi 3.0 government and her seventh consecutive one during the Monsoon Session of Parliament. The Economic Survey 2023-24 was tabled yesterday in the Parliament. Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi met in Parliament today to approve the Union Budget ahead of its presentation by the Finance Minister. This would mark Sitharaman's seventh consecutive budget and eclipses the late Moraji Desai's record of six consecutive budgets, which is likely to focus on changes in the income tax structure and improving the ease of doing business in India. Addressing the media, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary earlier said that the first Union Budget of the third Modi government will be based on his mantra of "Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas". Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said that this budget would accelerate the country's economic growth. "The economic growth that happened under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this budget and this Budget will further accelerate it. The budget that will be presented today by Nirmala ji will also help our country, which is the fastest-growing economy," Pralhad Joshi said while speaking to the media on the Parliament premises on Tuesday. The budget session of Parliament began on July 22 and, according to schedule, will end on August 12. On Monday, the economic survey presented in Parliament by finance minister Sithraman emphasized the resilience of the Indian economy and its stable post-Covid recovery. The Survey underscored the government's commitment to "Nari Shakti" through various legislative measures and provisions aimed at boosting women's participation in diverse professions. According to the Economic Survey, the budget for women's welfare and empowerment schemes has surged by 218.8 per cent, growing from Rs 97,134 crore (BE) in FY14 to Rs 3.10 lakh crore in FY25. Additionally, the Gender Budget Statement (GBS) has seen a 38.7 per cent increase compared to FY24 BE, with its share in the total Union Budget rising to 6.5 per cent in FY25, the highest since GBS was introduced in FY06. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/union-budget-2024-live-updates-finance-minister-nirmala-sitharaman-key-announcements-23-july/liveblog/111942008.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/union-budget-2024-live-updates-finance-minister-nirmala-sitharaman-key-announcements-23-july/liveblog/111942008.cms" target="_blank">Union Budget 2024 Live Updates: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to present her record seventh consecutive Budget today</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/expectations-from-union-budget-2024-25-how-will-this-budget-impact-you/articleshow/111946291.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/expectations-from-union-budget-2024-25-how-will-this-budget-impact-you/articleshow/111946291.cms" target="_blank">Union Budget 2024-25: How will this budget impact you?</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/heres-a-quick-overview-of-pm-modi-3-0-governments-first-budget-to-be-presented-by-fm-nirmala-sitharaman-today/articleshow/111944393.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/heres-a-quick-overview-of-pm-modi-3-0-governments-first-budget-to-be-presented-by-fm-nirmala-sitharaman-today/articleshow/111944393.cms" target="_blank">Here's a quick overview of PM Modi 3.0 government's first budget, to be presented by FM Nirmala Sitharaman today</a>

"India's economic growth will be shining exception" FM Nirmala Sitharaman presents Union Budget 2024-25

In a small village in Zambia, a teenager carries the key to her <keyword id="21911075" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="bicycle" source="keywords">bicycle</keyword> lock around her neck like an ornament. Her father, the leader of the hamlet frowns upon it. But it has little to no effect on her, because the bicycle was her key to freedom, and symbolic of the agency she now had over her life. <div type="image" title="Students of Government Manorama Vidyapith Girls High School in Patna (2009)" agency="BCCL" msid="113057493" hostid="261"></div> Similarly, a girl in her neighbouring village would deflate her cycle’s tyres every day, and bury the key somewhere far from the reach of her brother, to stop him from using it. Why were these young women so territorial and proud over a seemingly modest mode of commute to their school? How is it related to Bihar, and how has something as small and insignificant as a bicycle paved the way for a broader movement of woman empowerment? Read on to find out! <h2>Bihar’s Mukhyamantri Balika Cycle Yojana</h2>Being one of the most impoverished states in India, Bihar is plagued with a large gender gap in school attendance. This gap in attendance in schools only grows with age. The enrollment of girls in primary school is satisfactory, largely due to the availability of primary schools and the introduction of schemes like the midday meal. However, distance remains a huge barrier in the hinterlands, pushing them further away from attending secondary school. In 2006, the Nitish Kumar-led state government, launched the Mukhyamantri Balika Cycle Yojana, a pioneering cash-for-kind program to empower girls through education. The program initially provided ₹2000 to 14-year-old girls enrolled in 9th grade, enabling them to purchase bicycles. This initiative was designed to address one of the most significant barriers to education for girls in Bihar—long distances to secondary schools. But, how profound were the implications of this policy intervention? In 2008, <a href="https://www.nishithprakash.com">Professor Nishith Prakash</a> from Northeastern University and <a href="https://econweb.ucsd.edu/~kamurali/index.html">Professor Kartik Muralidharan</a> of the University of California, San Diego embarked on a study to gauge the policy’s impact with support from the International Growth Centre (IGC). Their research found that this bicycle program increased age-appropriate secondary school enrolment for girls aged 14-15 by 32%. It also reduced the gender gap in enrolment by 40%. Moreover, the number of girls appearing for and passing the 10th-grade exam rose by 18% and 12%, respectively. The success of this initiative highlighted the transformative power of providing a bicycle. Inspired by the Bihar program's success, Professor Prakash later collaborated with <a href="https://worldbicyclerelief.org">World Bicycle Relief (WBR)</a> and Zambia's Ministry of General Education to implement a similar initiative in the Southern province of Zambia. <h2>After Bihar, why Zambia?</h2>Zambia is a landlocked country in Southern Africa that has made significant strides in improving access to primary education with near-universal primary school enrolment. However, the story, when it comes to girls in secondary education, is markedly different. The drop-off for girls, as they transition to secondary education is stark. According to the World Bank’s 2015 report ‘Policy Brief: Zambia,’ their enrolment fell to just 61% at the lower secondary level. The same report states that girls drop out of school at double the rate of boys in Grade 7 and triple the rate of boys by Grade 11. <h2>A tough road to secondary school</h2>Transitioning to, and completing secondary education is particularly challenging for girls, primarily due to barriers like school fees, long distances to school, and societal factors such as teenage pregnancy and child marriage. These challenges are even more pronounced in rural areas. Additionally, this transition to secondary school often coincides with the onset of menstruation, which brings its own set of challenges. The lack of menstrual hygiene facilities in schools, coupled with the stigma and lack of awareness surrounding menstruation, further exacerbates the already significant gap in girls' education. Nearly 98% of girls in their sample reported walking to school, spending an average of 110 minutes commuting just one way, as reported in a <a href="https://www.cesifo.org/en/publications/2022/working-paper/wheels-change-transforming-girls-lives-bicycles">new study</a> authored by Professor Nishith Prakash and his collaborators. Alarmingly, 35% of these girls reported experiencing sexual harassment during their commute, highlighting just how perilous a journey many face in their pursuit of education. This <a href="https://www.cesifo.org/en/publications/2022/working-paper/wheels-change-transforming-girls-lives-bicycles">intervention</a> was introduced in Zambia, providing bicycles to girls in 100 schools across three districts, and the results were promising. Overall absenteeism dropped by 29%, translating to an additional five school days per year for girls in the Southern Province, where the average primary school student missed 18 days annually. Girls in the schools who received the bicycles were 38% less likely to drop out of school compared to those in the schools who did not receive the bicycles. <h2>Pedalling towards a safer commute</h2>The impact of these bicycles extended beyond just improved attendance. The program also led to enhanced perceptions of safety among the girls. One year after the intervention, girls in the treatment group reported a 22% reduction in instances of being teased or harassed on their way to school. Additionally, the probability of girls missing school or leaving early due to safety concerns dropped by 39%. Post the success of this program, the United States Agency For International Development (USAID) awarded $3.5 million to fund bicycles for growth initiatives to increase access in rural communities in Sub-Saharan Africa, mainly Ghana, Malawi, Rwanda, Uganda, and Zambia. Additionally, the Ministry of General Education (Zambia) scaled up the cycle program in several districts in Zambia. Simply put, the bicycles in Bihar and Zambia gave young girls the agency of making choices for themselves. While the immediate benefit of these programs was providing the means for women to travel to school, the long-term impact reveals significant shifts in attitudes among both the women involved and the communities around them! But did you know that the use of bicycles to provide women with this much-needed agency isn’t new and was actively instituted by women during the suffrage movement of the 19th century — a decades-long fight to win the right to vote for women in the United States? <h2>Corsets to cycles: The Suffrage movement &amp; bicycles</h2> <div type="image" title="A woman with a bicycle in early 1900s" msid="113057788" hostid="261"></div> In the late 19th century, during the American industrial revolution, a seemingly simple invention sparked a movement that would forever change women's lives — the bicycle. As the country experienced a ‘bicycle craze,’ the first wave of the women’s rights movement was gaining momentum. The bicycle quickly became more than just a mode of transportation; it became a powerful symbol of change and progress in the fight for women’s emancipation. In fact, the introduction of the bicycle revolutionised women’s fashion, breaking away from restrictive corsets and long skirts that had previously hindered their mobility. Instead, women began to adopt more practical, comfortable clothing that allowed them to cycle freely. The image of the ‘new woman’ emerged — educated, sporty, and career-oriented — with a bicycle as her constant companion. In 1895, at the age of 80, suffragist leader <keyword id="23037502" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="elizabeth-cady-stanton" source="keywords">Elizabeth Cady Stanton</keyword> predicted the power of the bicycle in transforming the lives of women. Having the ability to be self-reliant, often for the first time in their lives, would encourage them to be more courageous in other areas as well. While back then, their fight was for their right to vote in political elections, times have changed. Women have to fight different battles — some new and some old — to realise and utilise their potential. What has remained constant in this journey is the bicycle! Susan B. Anthony, another suffragist leader further opined, “Let me tell you what I think of bicycling. I think it has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world. It gives women a feeling of freedom and self-reliance. I stand and rejoice every time I see a woman ride by on a wheel…the picture of free, untrammelled womanhood.” Had she known that several decades later, this simpleton mode of transport would continue to improve the lives of young women in remote parts of the Global South, she would’ve been happy to her heart's content! If something as mundane as access to mobility has historically brought such great results, what can be done to bring greater mobility for women in policy-making today? Professor Nishith Prakash suggests that mobility needs to be thought of in a broader context. Mobility in the case of women isn’t just freedom to be able to go from one place to another. There are multiple actors at play, including their actual safety and the perception of feeling safe in an environment. Cultural norms in most societies across the globe, and in India, automatically grant the power of key-decision making to men. For these archaic norms to be challenged, he suggests changes in curriculum from early childhood. Reiterating the importance of agency in making choices for themselves, there need to be jobs for them to want to step out of the confines of their homes. And once they do, nothing can stop them from cycling away to their freedoms!

SIMPLY PUT: Two Wheels, One Mission — Bicycles empowering girls in Bihar and Zambia, a call-back to 19th century Suffrage movement

<keyword id="19900881" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="delhi" source="keywords">Delhi</keyword>'s finance minister Atishi presented the FY25 budget in the state assembly on Monday with an outlay of Rs 76,000 crore, announcing the 'Mukhyamamantri Mahila <keyword id="20820458" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="samman-yojana" source="keywords">Samman Yojana</keyword>' under which women aged 18 and above will get Rs 1,000 per month, and asserted the government is inspired by the ideals of <keyword id="20017410" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ram-rajya" source="keywords">Ram Rajya</keyword>. In the budget tabled in the state assembly ahead of the general elections, she also announced that the Business Blasters scheme, which was till now being implemented in schools, will now be implemented in universities and Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs). Last year, the government had allocated Rs 78,800 crore for the financial year 2023-24 and announced nine schemes as part of the G20 preparations. The Delhi government's budget size for 2022-23 was Rs 75,800 crore and Rs 69,000 crore in the preceding year. This was the first time that Atishi presented the budget after taking charge of the finance department last year. In her budget speech, she remembered Manish Sisodia, former education minister, and <keyword id="20115511" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="satyendar-jain" source="keywords">Satyendar Jain</keyword>, former health minister, for their roles in shaping the education and health models in the national capital. "This is a moment of pride that the Kejriwal government is presenting its tenth budget today. I am not just presenting the tenth budget but a picture of changing Delhi. Kejriwal came as a ray of hope. We are all inspired by Ram Rajya. We are working hard towards realising the dream of Ram Rajya," she said. She proposed an allocation of Rs 16,396 crore for the education sector and highlighted the achievements of the AAP (Aam Aadmi Party) government in the field. Under the education budget, Rs 100 crore has been allocated to the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) for training teachers, and another Rs 150 crore has been proposed for the construction of new schools and classrooms. She proposed Rs 45 crore for the maintenance of existing classrooms and Rs 42 crore for Schools of Specialised Excellence in the 2024-25 fiscal. The minister announced an allocation of Rs 118 crore for sports education, Rs 1,212 crore for higher education and technical education and Rs 15 crore for "Business Blasters Senior". "The Kejriwal government will implement Business Blaster scheme in its universities and Industrial Training Institutes through Rs 15 crore allocation in budget," she added. The government announced a budget of Rs 8,685 crore for the health sector with Rs 6,215 crore being proposed for hospitals to maintain good facilities. "Under the Delhi government, there are 38 hospitals where treatment is provided free of cost to more than 81,000 OPD patients daily and 65,806 IPD patients monthly," she said. OPD stands for out-patient department, while in-patients department is referred as IPD. There are 530 Mohalla Clinics in Delhi currently, where every day, 64,000 people receive free medicines, tests, and treatment. So far, Mohalla Clinics have conducted more than seven crore OPD visits, she said. 'Farishtey Dilli Ke' scheme has saved the lives of 22,000 people, she shared. The minister announced a budget outlay of Rs 6,216 crore for various schemes under the Social Welfare Department, Women and Child Development Department and SC/ST/OBC Welfare Department. The government announced an allocation of Rs 2,000 crore for the 'Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman <keyword id="19955331" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="yojana" source="keywords">Yojana</keyword>' for the welfare and empowerment of women from 2024-25. Under this scheme, woman above 18 years of age will get Rs 1,000 per month, she said. For a woman to become eligible under the scheme, she should be a Delhi voter, should not be availing benefits under any other government scheme and should not be an income taxpayer, she said. According to the final electoral roll of Delhi published in January this year, there are 67,30,371 female voters in the national capital. Atishi announced an allocation of Rs 664 crore for all nutrition-related schemes. In 2014-15, the budget for law and justice was Rs 760 crore, she said. "I am delighted to share that by 2024-25, it has increased by nearly four-fold to reach Rs 3,098 crore," she said. The minister announced that in 2024-25, the Delhi government will begin the construction of four court complexes in Rohini, Karkardooma, Shastri Park, and Rouse Avenue. "These will include courtrooms, lawyer chambers, libraries, and modern facilities, totalling 250 new courtrooms. The number of people receiving free legal services through the Delhi State Legal Services Authority was 33,000 in 2016. Last year, this figure increased nearly four-fold, reaching 1.25 lakh," she shared. The finance minister announced an allocation of Rs 902 crore for unauthorised colonies. Talking about the transport sector, she said that Delhi will have over 10,000 buses in its fleet, including 80 per cent electric buses. She announced Rs 7,195 crore for the Delhi Jal Board, Rs 510 crore for induction of electric buses in DTC and cluster buses fleet and Rs 500 crore for Delhi Metro. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/realme-12-5g-with-dimensity-7050-chipset-to-launch-in-india-on-march-6/articleshow/108129873.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/realme-12-5g-with-dimensity-7050-chipset-to-launch-in-india-on-march-6/articleshow/108129873.cms" target="_blank">Realme 12+ 5G with Dimensity 7050 chipset to launch in India on March 6</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/xiaomi-14-to-launch-in-india-on-march-7-to-take-on-the-galaxy-s23-and-oneplus-12/articleshow/107841326.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/xiaomi-14-to-launch-in-india-on-march-7-to-take-on-the-galaxy-s23-and-oneplus-12/articleshow/107841326.cms" target="_blank">Xiaomi 14 to launch in India on March 7, to take on the Galaxy S23 and OnePlus 12</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/upcoming-cars-launching-in-india-in-march-2024/slidelist/108095936.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/upcoming-cars-launching-in-india-in-march-2024/slidelist/108095936.cms" target="_blank">Upcoming cars launching in India in March 2024</a>

Delhi govt presents FY25 budget with ₹76,000 crore outlay; to give ₹1,000 per month to every woman

Kadapa (Andhra Pradesh) [India], March 27 (ANI): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan <keyword id="20132488" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mohan-reddy" source="keywords">Mohan Reddy</keyword> launched the '<keyword id="21104922" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="memantha-siddham" source="keywords">Memantha Siddham</keyword>' (We are all ready) campaign in Kadapa district on Wednesday ahead of the Lok Sabha polls in the state. Following a heartfelt tribute to his father and former CM YS Rajasekhar at Idupulapaya, <keyword id="20321726" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cm-jagan" source="keywords">CM Jagan</keyword> commenced his 'Memantha Siddham' yatra through the lively streets of Vempalli in Kadapa district. A sea of people, young and old, lined up to welcome CM Jagan. CM <keyword id="21108159" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="jagan-reddy" source="keywords">Jagan Reddy</keyword> alleged TDP Chief and former CM Chandrababu Naidu and Andhra Pradesh BJP Chief Purandeshwari were involved in the recent mega drug haul at Vizag port. "Recently, the CBI caught a drug container in Visakhapatnam, that arrived from Brazil. All opposition parties are falsely accusing the YSRCP. However, the company belongs to the father-in-law of the state BJP President, Purandeshwari's sons. They were previously associated with the company. If any crime occurs, they falsely accuse the YSRCP. Even NTR was betrayed," said CM <keyword id="20041086" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="jagan-mohan" source="keywords">Jagan Mohan</keyword> Reddy. He alleged that Chandrababu and his associates have received direct support from one national party and indirect support from another. "They have even managed to gain support from my sister. I am alone. All these parties have allied to fight against me. I only have the support of the public and God," he said. He said that the YSRCP government has strived for good governance for the last fifty-eight months. Grama Sachivalayam and <keyword id="21108158" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ward-sachivalayam" source="keywords">Ward Sachivalayam</keyword> have been established across the state. "On the first of every month, beneficiaries receive pensions even if it is a holiday. Our volunteers distribute pensions to 66 lakh beneficiaries, which reflects YSRCP's commitment. We provide a pension of three thousand rupees, unmatched by any other state. It costs 24 thousand crores annually on pensions. Without corruption, beneficiaries directly receive pensions through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)," said CM Jagan. He said that the English-medium language was implemented in government schools and starting with CBSE, the transformation was moved up to the International Baccalaureate (IB) syllabus. Tabs were distributed to the schoolchildren in every government school. He further said, "The Disha app is assisting women across the state. Village clinics have been established, and family doctors are working for the welfare of the people. This is all possible due to the efforts of the YSRCP government. Arogya Suraksha is visible in every village. New ambulances are serving the needy. Arogya Sri has been extended to provide treatment up to 25 lakhs for the weaker sections. Farmers are receiving free power and fee reimbursements for students." He further said that a lot of progress has been made in the span of 58 months by the YSRCP government. "Fifteen medical colleges are under construction, along with four seaports and ten fishing harbours. We have also improved airports and services. The foundation stone was laid for the Century Plywood industry in Badvel. All this progress has been made in the span of 58 months. I have pressed the button 130 times and disbursed 2 lakhs, 70 thousand crores of rupees to the beneficiaries under welfare schemes," he further said. He further appealed to the party workers that schemes should be explained door-to-door ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. "Every beneficiary woman speaks about the pension in both Chandra Babu Naidu's regime and our regime. If this level of service and welfare is to continue, Jagan must come into power. Not only pension but also if the welfare schemes should continue in the state, Jagan is the only person who can do it. I appeal to all of you to explain schemes to the public door to door," the chief minister said. CM Jagan made sensational comments on Viveka's murder. He said that everyone knew who killed YS <keyword id="20336212" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="vivekananda-reddy" source="keywords">Vivekananda Reddy</keyword>. A month before the last general elections, Vivekananda Reddy, a former MP, was found dead at his residence in Pulivendula on March 15, 2019. Suneetha Narreddy, daughter of former MP YS Vivekananda Reddy has accused her cousin and Chief Minister Jagan Reddy of obstructing a CBI inquiry into the investigation case into her father's murder. "Casting your vote for Chandra Babu signifies the banning of welfare schemes. He is not trustworthy. The TDP's manifesto will not be visible in the public domain after the elections. Not a single promise made by any of them has been fulfilled. The state hasn't been granted special status. Once again, the same three parties are in an alliance to deceive the public. Encourage everyone to keep the cycle out of the home, the glass in the sink, and the fan in the house. This is not just an election for electing MLAs and MPs, it's an election that changes the empowerment of weaker sections," CM Jagan added. (ANI)

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