Jaipur, Jan. 17 -- Chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Friday said that a new chapter of women empowerment is being written in the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with Rajasthan emerging as a key example through the Rajeevika programme. He said nearly 1.3 million women in the state have become Lakhpati Didis, while 5.1 million rural families have been connected to self-help groups (SHGs), strengthening livelihoods and economic self-reliance at the grassroots level. Addressing a pre-Budget interaction programme with women from Rajeevika self-help groups at Birla Auditorium in Jaipur, he said women are now playing a central role in Rajasthan's development by joining the mainstream economy. He said every Rajeevika member is contributing to increasing family income and helping households become self-reliant. Highlighting the economic impact of SHGs, Sharma said Rajeevika has proved that women are excellent managers and entrepreneurs. He added SHGs have also freed women from dependence on high-interest loans.htc...