Hyderabad: Poverty ends when women are empowered, Telangana Panchayat Raj, Rural Development, and Women & Child Welfare Minister Dr Danasari Anasuya Seethakka said on Friday. She made the remarks while inaugurating the Saras Mela at Indira Mahila Shakti Bazaar in Hitec City.
Leaders and dignitaries join the launch
Local MLA Arekapudi Gandhi, Child Protection Commission Chairperson Sita Dayakar Reddy, Women Development Corporation Chairperson Bandru Shobha, Agriculture Commission member Bhavani Reddy, SERP CEO Divya Devarajan, Additional CEO Katyayini, Streenidhi MD Vidyasagar Reddy, and WE-Hub CEO Sita Pallachola attended the ceremony.
Traditional artists greeted the guests with drums, and cultural programs highlighted Telangana’s history and struggles. The minister toured stalls set up by women’s groups, spoke with participants, and purchased products to encourage them.
Women’s empowerment through Indira Mahila Shakti
Seethakka thanked the Chief Minister for allocating a prime space like Hitec City for rural women to showcase their products. She stressed that the government remains committed to including women in every stage of development. Moreover, she explained that Indira Mahila Shakti has boosted women’s confidence and enabled them to achieve financial stability.
Banks have so far provided loans worth ₹27,000 crore to women’s groups. With repayment levels at 98 per cent, banks have shown more interest in sanctioning fresh loans.
Women move into larger businesses
The minister pointed out that women who once started with small trades are now entering bigger ventures. She cited Narayanpet women’s federations that operate a petrol bunk and earned ₹15.50 lakh in six months. In addition, the government handed over solar power projects and other businesses to women’s groups.
“When women are happy, their families and society are happy too,” Seethakka said. She reminded the gathering that women, when given opportunities, had even contributed to space missions. The minister pledged that the government would continue to support women’s economic growth.
Future plans and recognition
Seethakka said bank loans curbed exploitation by moneylenders and praised women’s groups for their discipline and credibility. She reiterated that Indira Mahila Shakti aims to eradicate rural poverty.
Looking ahead, she announced that Hyderabad will see more dedicated spaces for women’s product exhibitions, modelled on the Hitec City initiative. Finally, the minister honoured several bankers for supporting women’s groups and urged women to use these opportunities wisely to achieve financial strength.