Scooty Didi” became a symbol of self-reliant India – Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai praised Anu’s passion

Chhattisgarh’s daughters are no longer just beneficiaries, they are also becoming carriers of social change – Chief Minister

Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India praised

Raipur 15 July 2025 l Anu, a resident of Umarda, a small village in Dhamtari district of Chhattisgarh, is today known as “Scooty Didi” all over the country. Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai praised Anu’s tenacity, self-reliance and her contribution towards the empowerment of rural women and said that daughters like Anu are the real identity of self-reliant India. The picture of Chhattisgarh’s villages is changing with their courage, dedication and determination.

Anu’s inspiring journey is proof that if there is a passion to do something in the mind, then lack of resources, social pressure and traditional thinking cannot stop the way. Born in a simple rural family, Anu continued her studies even in difficult circumstances and obtained a postgraduate degree in Economics. After this She joined Chhattisgarh State Rural Livelihood Mission ‘Bihan’ and took training in sewing and embroidery, got a loan of one lakh rupees, and set an example of economic discipline by repaying the loan on time.

Annu understood that mobility is very important for the empowerment of rural women. She learned to ride a scooty from ‘Pratham Sanstha’ and despite the taunts and sarcasm of the society in the beginning, she maintained her confidence and did not give up. When she started connecting with women from village to village on a scooty, then she came to be known as “Scooty Didi”.

In the year 2023, Anu established the “Women Two-wheeler Training Center”. Initially only 2-3 women took training, but gradually this initiative became a revolution in rural society. So far, she has taught more than 30 women to ride scooty, who have now started reaching places like Anganwadi, school, bank and health center independently.

Annu’s initiative not only improved the daily mobility of women Not only has driving become easier, but the entire social outlook has also changed. Now parents in villages themselves are sending their daughters and daughters-in-law to Anu for training. His dream is to make 1000 women self-reliant and soon start a four-wheeler training center.

Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai said that people like Anu are the new identity of Chhattisgarh. The state government is committed to promoting such innovations through schemes like ‘Bihan’, which are bringing change at the grassroots level.

Anu’s contribution is not limited to driving training only. He has also made women skilled in sewing-embroidery, LED assembly, MNREGA works, and household management. Seeing his efforts, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, Mrs. Swati Sharma and Collector of Dhamtari, Mr. Avinash Mishra themselves went to Umrada village and met Anu and appreciated his work.

The Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India also shared Anu’s story through a Facebook post and said that there was a lack of resources in life, but nothing deterred Anu’s courage By completing her M.A. and getting training from ‘Bihaan’ and ‘Pratham Sanstha’, she not only achieved self-reliance but also became an inspiration for others.

Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai said that today the daughters of Chhattisgarh are not only beneficiaries but are also becoming carriers of change. The state government will welcome every such initiative that will accelerate women empowerment.