Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day address from the Red Fort on August 15, 2026, made significant announcements regarding women's economic and political empowerment in India. He revealed that the government's target of creating 3 crore Lakhpati Didis (rural women entrepreneurs with annual earnings of ₹1 lakh or more) has already been surpassed, representing a major achievement in women's economic inclusion.
The Prime Minister announced a new, more ambitious target of creating 6 crore Lakhpati Didis, effectively doubling the program's scale. He emphasized that creating an additional 3 crore women entrepreneurs would bring about a major transformation in the rural economy, powered by women's economic strength. Modi highlighted the growing presence of women in diverse fields and sectors that were previously considered inaccessible, noting that daughters of India are creating new benchmarks through their achievements.
On the political front, the Prime Minister made a direct appeal to all political parties to come together to ensure 33% representation for women in Legislative Assemblies and the Lok Sabha. He emphasized that the country's daughters, mothers, and sisters should have greater participation in decision-making and in shaping the nation's future. The address reaffirmed the government's commitment to women's participation, empowerment, and leadership in India's development journey toward becoming a developed nation.