Why Chanda Devi's Rally Speech Caught The Attention Of PM Modi?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an irresistible offer to a woman who impressed the people of Varanasi with her compelling speech. Chanda Devi, a member of a self-help group and beneficiary of the 'Lakhpati Didi' scheme, won PM Modi's praise with her presentation about how she was able to leverage the loan schemes introduced by the government. Upon hearing her success story and her ability to grasp the audience's attention, PM Modi asked her, "You are giving such a good speech; will you contest the elections?"

PM Modi appreciated Chanda Devi for her speech, to which she replied, "We are inspired by you. We keep pace with the efforts you make. We are fortunate that we are speaking in front of you." Devi narrated her background and the benefits of the schemes she has availed of to enhance her financial independence.

Chanda Devi's Journey from Struggle to Triumph

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in Varanasi's Barki village of Sewapuri development block to interact with the beneficiaries of government schemes under the Vikas Bharat Sankalp Yatra. When Chanda Devi, one such beneficiary, took the stage to tell her story, PM Modi was fascinated by her speech.

In her speech, Devi said that she was able to bag an initial loan of Rs. 15,000 to initiate a vegetable farming venture. With this, Devi was not only able to repay the loan but also improved her family's living conditions. She then became a sakhi (banking assistant) with the Radha Mahila Sahayata Samooh self-help group to financially empower other women like herself. 

Devi said that she now makes annual savings of Rs 1.3 lakh and credited the Modi government for the valuable schemes that have played a pivotal role in empowering women. PM Modi asked Devi about her educational background, to which she replied that she had studied until Class 12. Modi then asked her whether she had a background in politics, giving her the ability to capture the audience's attention. 

Modi then proposed that she contest the elections soon. He then spoke to her about the other ways in which Devi and other women can utilise the schemes to become financially independent. Later, during a rally in Barki, PM Modi mentioned Chanda Devi again and appreciated her once again. He said, "Today, I spoke to Chanda Devi. I can say that it is not easy to deliver such good speeches. Through this Sankalp Yatra, I have had the opportunity to know the strength and potential within society."