Women from rural India who have redefined traditional roles through technology and entrepreneurship took centre stage at the We Women Want Conclave and Shakti Awards 2025 in the capital on Thursday. Organized by NewsX, the event celebrated 70 exceptional women from across the country, including “Drone Didis” and “Lakhpati ”Didis”—emblematic of India’s changing rural economy driven by women.
The highlight was an inspiring session with “Drone Didis”—beneficiaries of the NaMo Drone Didi Yojana, a central government scheme training 15,000 women-led Self Help Groups to use drone technology in farming. Moderated by NewsX Senior Editor Devika Diwan, the session featured Seema, Neeraj, Manisha Kumari, Vimla Kumari, and Ambika Rana, who shared their personal journeys.
Seema, once a homemaker, now sprays 200 acres of farmland in Tappal, earning ₹350–₹400 per acre. “Before this, I had no idea what a drone even looked like. With my family’s support, I could attend training and start earning,” she said.
Neeraj from Aligarh spoke of challenging village norms. “People once questioned women going out alone. Now, when they see you earning, they respect you,” she said.
Manisha Kumari, a psychology student from a backward village, juggles her studies with drone training, defying early marriage expectations.
For Vimla Kumari, perseverance was key. After failing her drone exam twice, she passed on her third attempt and now supports 13,000 women through SHGs. “I trained with nine men and was the only woman in my batch,” she noted.
Ambika Rana from Panchkula, who operates drones in hilly terrains, said she had never seen a drone before training but always believed in her ability to succeed.
Equally inspiring was Lalita Sharma, a “Lakhpati Didi” from Tappal block, Aligarh, who shared her transition from hesitation to independence in conversation with NewsX Executive Editor Megha Sharma. “Shuruaat mein ghar se bahar nikalna mushkil tha,” she recalled, crediting her mother-in-law for caring for her grandchildren so she could focus on work.
