Jaipur, Dec. 22 -- Chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Sunday said that the state government views women empowerment not merely as a social responsibility, but as the cornerstone of the state's overall development. He said women associated with Rajeevika are steadily moving towards self-reliance and are playing a crucial role in realising the vision of a developed Rajasthan. Speaking at the Lakhpati Didi Samvad programme at HCM RIPA (OTS) in Jaipur, Sharma said, "The Lakhpati Didi scheme, launched under the guidance of the Prime Minister, has emerged as a powerful instrument of socio-economic transformation in rural Rajasthan. The state government is continuously working to organise, train and equip women with resources so that they become the driving force of development." Sharma said that through Rajasthan Grameen Aajeevika Vikas Parishad (Rajeevika), many women have become inspiring examples of self-reliance. Aruna Sharma from Karauli district joined a self-help group, received training and started a small bakery business. Today, her products are reaching beyond the district to fairs in other states, he said. She provides employment to five women and aims to train 50 more. Similarly, Sushila Devi from Phagi block in Jaipur district turned traditional blue pottery into a livelihood, taking her products to national and international markets through fairs. Sarita Kanwar established a home-based enterprise in tailoring with Rajeevika's support and expanded into agriculture, dairy, food products and handicrafts. Hundreds of such Lakhpati Didis are giving new direction to women empowerment and the rural economy, he said. The chief minister said that so far, 1.94 million women have been trained and over 1.2 million Lakhpati Didis created in the state. Under the Lado Protsahan Yojana, assistance of Rs.1.5 lakh is being provided to girls, benefiting over 460,000 beneficiaries so far. To promote girls' education, over 1 million bicycles and around 40,000 scooters have been distributed, he said. For women's health, 12.2 million beneficiaries are receiving 12 free sanitary napkins every month, he said, adding under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, financial assistance has been increased to Rs.6,500, with Rs.531 crore provided to around 1 million pregnant women. The Ma Voucher scheme has benefited 226,000 women with free sonography services, he said. Sharma said tablets and laptops are being given to women associated with Rajeevika, enabling them to access digital platforms, e-commerce, branding and digital payments....