New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday delivered a strong message on women’s empowerment at the We Women Want Conclave and Shakti Awards 2025, urging women to be assertive, self-reliant, and ambitious.
Speaking on National Handloom Day, Gupta hailed the resilience of Indian women across all walks of life, from homemakers to soldiers, entrepreneurs, and politicians. “No one is going to give you your place. You have to create it yourself,” she said, calling the platform “a movement, not a conclave.”
She announced the launch of the Mahila Samriddhi Yojana, a ₹5,100 crore scheme offering ₹2,500 per month to eligible low-income women, with a dedicated portal for registration and verification to be rolled out soon. Gupta said the initiative was part of her government’s push for inclusion, financial independence, and social equity.
Reflecting on her own journey from student activism to politics, Gupta said she had never planned her path, adding that Indian women juggle multiple roles—from managing homes and families to excelling professionally and serving society.
The Chief Minister also called for urgent reforms in Delhi’s public education system, advocating for more colleges and progressive government schools that rival private institutions in quality.
In a rapid-fire segment, Gupta named Amitabh Bachchan as her favourite actor, addressed her alleged feud with Jaya Bachchan by saying, “You reap what you sow,” and dismissed US President Donald Trump’s influence, remarking, “No, Donald Trump has not the stature to even raise his eyes at us.”
She emphasised that India’s growing economic strength—set to become the world’s third-largest economy—means the country can no longer be dictated to by foreign powers. Her remarks drew strong applause from the audience.
