Today women are leading from the front in every sphere: Prime Minister Modi
Not only are our daughters flying fighter jets but also achieving great feats by circumnavigating the entire world: PM Modi
Our government is fully devoted to empowerment of women: PM Modi

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, attended the National Women Livelihood Meet-2019, held at Deendayal Hastkala Sankul in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, on International Women’s Day.

The Prime Minister visited the exhibition on products manufactured by Self Help Groups aided by Uttar Pradesh Rural Livelihood Mission. He distributed Electric Chaak, Solar Charkha and Honey Warp to women beneficiaries and appreciation letters to five women Self Help Groups. Various women Self Help Groups supported by Deendayal Anthodia Yojana, NRLM-Uttar Pradesh, handed over a cheque of Rs.21 lakh to the Prime Minister, as their contribution towards ‘Bharat Ke Veer’ Fund.

Paying his respect to all women on International Women’s Day, Prime Minister said that women have an important role in creating New India. He expressed happiness that over 65 lakh women from around 75000 locations are participating in the event through video conference. He added that Varanasi is a shining example of women empowerment.

The Prime Minister said that government is completely committed towards the empowerment of women. He mentioned about the various schemes initiated by the Union Government for the welfare of women and girl children, especially in the fields of health, nutrition, sanitation, education, skill development, self-employment, new gas connections and ensuring safety and security of women. He said that maternity leave of six months introduced by the government is one of the best in the world. 

Women are given priority in all Union Government schemes, PM said. He added that eleven crore out of the fifteen crore Mudra Loans given out so far, have been given to women.

Appreciating the exceptional work done by Self Help Groups in India, PM said that their work is not only resulting in the betterment of their family but also leading to the development of nation. He said that the government is giving new energy to the Self Help Groups in terms of better bank loans and support systems. Around fifty lakh Self Help Groups covering around six crore women are now present in the country, PM added. He said that the vision of his government is to connect at least one women member in every family with a Self Help Group. 

The Prime Minister urged the Self Help Groups to be innovative and understand their market better. He asked them to utilize the GEM portal to sell their products to the Government. Self Help Groups should spread to new sectors wherever there is scope for their involvement, PM said.

The Prime Minister asked women to fully utilize the recently launched Pradhan Mantri Shram Maan-dhan Yojana, as it provides financial security during old age. He also mentioned about the benefits of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi and Ayushman Bharat Yojana.
The Prime Minister also interacted with the members of Self Help Groups in Varanasi.

Explore More
अयोध्येत श्री राम जन्मभूमी मंदिर ध्वजारोहण उत्सवात पंतप्रधानांनी केलेले भाषण

लोकप्रिय भाषण

अयोध्येत श्री राम जन्मभूमी मंदिर ध्वजारोहण उत्सवात पंतप्रधानांनी केलेले भाषण
India's strong growth outlook intact despite global volatility: Govt

Media Coverage

India's strong growth outlook intact despite global volatility: Govt
NM on the go

Nm on the go

Always be the first to hear from the PM. Get the App Now!
...
Prime Minister urges MPs to vote in favour of Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam Amendment, Calls it Historic Opportunity
April 17, 2026

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, has highlighted that a discussion is currently underway in Parliament on the amendment to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, noting that deliberations continued till 1 AM last night.

He stated that all misconceptions surrounding the amendment have been addressed with logical responses, and every concern raised by members has been resolved. The Prime Minister added that necessary information, wherever lacking, has also been provided to all members, ensuring that issues of opposition have been clarified.

Emphasising that the issue of women’s reservation has witnessed political debates for nearly four decades, the Prime Minister said that the time has now come to ensure that women, who constitute half of the country’s population, receive their rightful representation.

He observed that even after decades of independence, the low representation of women in the decision-making process is not appropriate and needs to be corrected.

The Prime Minister informed that voting in the Lok Sabha is expected shortly and urged all political parties to take a thoughtful and sensitive decision by voting in favour of the women’s reservation amendment.

Appealing on behalf of the women of the country, he urged all Members of Parliament to ensure that no action hurts the sentiments of Nari Shakti. He noted that crores of women are looking towards the Parliament, its intent, and its decisions.

The Prime Minister called upon MPs to reflect upon their families-mothers, sisters, daughters, and wives—and listen to their inner conscience while making the decision.

He described the amendment as a significant opportunity to serve and honour the women of the nation and urged members not to deprive them of new opportunities.

Expressing confidence, the Prime Minister said that if the amendment is passed unanimously, it will further strengthen Nari Shakti as well as the country’s democracy.

Calling it a historic moment, he urged all members to come together to create history by granting rightful representation to women, who form half of India’s population.

The Prime Minister wrote on X;

“संसद में इस समय नारीशक्ति वंदन अधिनियम में संशोधन पर चर्चा चल रही है। कल रात भी एक बजे तक चर्चा चली है।

जो भ्रम फैलाए गए, उनको दूर करने के लिए तर्कबद्ध जवाब दिया गया है। हर आशंका का समाधान किया गया है। जिन जानकारियों का अभाव था, वो जानकारियां भी हर सदस्य को दी गई हैं। किसी के मन में विरोध का जो कोई भी विषय था, उसका भी समाधान हुआ है।

महिला आरक्षण के इस विषय पर देश में चार दशक तक बहुत राजनीति कर ली गई है। अब समय है कि देश की आधी आबादी को उसके अधिकार अवश्य मिलें।

आजादी के इतने दशकों बाद भी भारत की महिलाओं का निर्णय प्रक्रिया में इतना कम प्रतिनिधित्व रहे, ये ठीक नहीं।

अब कुछ ही देर लोकसभा में मतदान होने वाला है। मैं सभी राजनीतिक दलों से आग्रह करता हूं… अपील करता हूं...

कृपया करके सोच-विचार करके पूरी संवेदनशीलता से निर्णय लें, महिला आरक्षण के पक्ष में मतदान करें।

मैं देश की नारी शक्ति की तरफ से भी सभी सदस्यों से प्रार्थना करूंगा… कुछ भी ऐसा ना करें, जिनसे नारीशक्ति की भावनाएं आहत हों।

देश की करोड़ों महिलाओं की दृष्टि हम सभी पर है, हमारी नीयत पर है, हमारे निर्णय पर है। कृपया करके नारीशक्ति वंदन अधिनियम में संशोधन का साथ दें।”

“मैं सभी सांसदों से कहूंगा...

आप अपने घर में मां-बहन-बेटी-पत्नी सबका स्मरण करते हुए अपनी अंतरात्मा को सुनिए ...

देश की नारीशक्ति की सेवा का, उनके वंदन का ये बहुत बड़ा अवसर है।

उन्हें नए अवसरों से वंचित नहीं करिए।

ये संशोधन सर्वसम्मति से पारित होगा, तो देश की नारीशक्ति और सशक्त होगी… देश का लोकतंत्र और सशक्त होगा।

आइए… हम मिलकर आज इतिहास रचें। भारत की नारी को… देश की आधी आबादी को उसका हक दें।”

"Parliament is discussing a historic legislation that paves the way for women’s reservation in legislative bodies. The discussions, which began yesterday, lasted till around 1 AM and have continued since the House proceedings began this morning.

The Government has addressed all apprehensions and misconceptions relating to the legislation with facts and logic. All concerns have been addressed and any gaps in information have also been filled.

For nearly four decades, this issue of women’s reservation in legislative bodies has been inordinately delayed. Now is the time to ensure that half of the nation’s population receives its rightful due in decision making. Even after so many decades of Independence, it is not right that women in India have such limited representation in this area.

In a short while from now, voting will take place in the Lok Sabha. I urge and appeal to all political parties to reflect carefully and take a sensitive decision by voting in favour of women’s reservation.

On behalf of our Nari Shakti, I also request all members not to do anything that may hurt the sentiments of women across India. Crores of women are watching us…our intent and our decisions. I once again request that everyone support the amendments to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.”

"I would like to appeal to all Members of Parliament…

Please reflect upon your conscience, remembering the women in your own families.

The legislation to ensure women’s reservation in legislative bodies is a significant opportunity to do justice to women of our nation.

Please do not deprive our Nari Shakti of new opportunities.

If this amendment is passed unanimously, it will further empower the women of our country and strengthen our democracy.

Let us come together today to create history.

Let us ensure that the women of India, who are half of the nation’s population, receive their rightful due.”