The nation can achieve development only when women achieve empowerment, said NTR District Collector G. Lakshmisha.

Participating in a programme organised to mark International Women’s Day, in Vijayawada on Sunday, the District Collector said that women play a crucial role in strengthening the district, State, and the nation economically. He pointed out that the RISE centre established in the district was to bring out the talent of rural women and mould them into entrepreneurs. He said: “Nearly 5,000 women have already benefited from the centre.”

Later, chairman of the 20-Point Programme Implementation Committee, Lanka Dinakar, said as part of a nationwide initiative, the Union government aims to create 3 crore ‘Lakhpati Didis’. In Andhra Pradesh, nearly 18 lakh ‘Lakhpati Didis’ already exist, and the goal is to create another 30 lakh within the next two years, he said.

Joint Collector S. Ilakkiya recalled that she lost both her parents at a young age, and was able to reach her current position only because of the support extended to her by a woman. She encouraged women to overcome hardships and strive for higher positions.