Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday launched the Bihar Rajya Jeevika Nidhi Saakh Sahkari Sangh Limited, a financial cooperative designed to improve access to affordable credit for rural women entrepreneurs in Bihar. The initiative was inaugurated via video conferencing and marks a major government intervention to reduce the reliance of self-help group members on high-interest microfinance institutions.
PM Modi stated the move would empower nearly 20 lakh women across the state and accelerate the pace of inclusive economic development. A sum of ₹105 crore was digitally transferred into the account of the new cooperative at the launch. The Jeevika Nidhi platform aims to simplify financial access by operating fully online, with funds directly deposited into beneficiaries’ bank accounts.
Over 12,000 trained community cadres will support the system’s implementation, using tablets to facilitate seamless operations in villages. The cooperative model is expected to lower borrowing costs and expand entrepreneurship among women-led enterprises in rural Bihar. In his remarks, Modi emphasized that empowered women are essential to the foundation of a developed India.
He said that reducing the daily struggles of mothers, sisters, and daughters remains a central goal of his administration. PM Modi cited various flagship schemes such as the construction of toilets, home ownership through the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Har Ghar Jal for clean water access, and the Ayushman Bharat program that provides free healthcare up to ₹5 lakh.
Modi highlights national programs benefiting women
He also mentioned initiatives like Lakhpati Didi, Drone Didi, and Bank Sakhi that aim to boost women’s incomes and economic independence. Highlighting Bihar’s deep-rooted cultural reverence for maternal figures, Modi connected the new financial scheme to the state’s spiritual traditions, such as Chhath Puja and Satbahini Puja. He described the people of Bihar as deeply committed to honoring women and said that any disrespect toward mothers and daughters is an affront to the nation’s values.
PM Modi also strongly criticized recent derogatory remarks made against his late mother by opposition leaders, calling them an insult to all women in the country and urging citizens to stand against such behavior. The Prime Minister reaffirmed his government’s long-standing commitment to inclusive development and women-led growth. He said India’s strength lies in its people, particularly in the power and resilience of its women.
Modi positioned the Jeevika Nidhi as not just a financial tool, but part of a wider national effort to make women equal stakeholders in India’s growth story. Modi also used the platform to underline his larger economic vision. He said that India is well on its way to becoming the world’s third-largest economy, driven by a combination of grassroots initiatives and major structural reforms.
Cultural milestones aligned with policy-driven change
From infrastructure and digital governance to social welfare and entrepreneurship, Modi said every policy is designed to uplift all sections of society, especially those historically left behind. He noted that empowering women, particularly in rural areas, will be critical to unlocking India’s full economic potential.
PM Modi called for every household to adopt the “Har Ghar Swadeshi, Ghar-Ghar Swadeshi” movement, urging citizens to support local manufacturing and self-reliance. He said this mission aligns with the broader vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and invited women to play a central role in building a resilient and self-sufficient economy.
The event was attended by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, along with several senior officials and local representatives. PM Modi concluded by reaffirming his government’s unwavering commitment to ensuring dignity, respect, equal opportunity, and economic empowerment for every Indian woman across all sections of society. – By Content Syndication Services.