Forget the image of coughing women hunched over open fires. In Damoh, Madhya Pradesh, PM Narendra Modi’s Ujjwala Yojana has painted a brighter picture for rural motherhood. Clean cooking fuel isn’t just convenience – it’s liberation.
In Patera block’s hamlets, 16,500 women received their first LPG stoves last year. The impact? Transformative. Geeta Prajapati, a daily wager, says, ‘No more back pain from wood collection. I joined a SHG and started pickle-making business.’ Her monthly income doubled.
Impact assessments reveal compelling outcomes: 35% time savings redirected to income generation, 28% decline in pediatric asthma cases, and burgeoning women-led enterprises. LPG usage has crossed 90%, highest in the region.
Success stems from multi-pronged strategy – from saturation drives to financial inclusion linkages. Banks offer cylinder loans at nominal rates; insurance covers accidents. Gram panchayats host ‘Ujjwala Melas’ monthly.
This scheme transcends energy access. It’s reshaping gender dynamics, boosting nutrition (more diverse meals), and strengthening communities. Damoh’s progress challenges urban-rural divides, showing welfare’s true potential.
PM Modi’s vision finds perfect expression here. Clean kitchens symbolize cleaner futures, where rural women aren’t just survivors but thriving contributors to nation-building.