New Delhi, May 17 Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that the Delhi government is working extensively to empower women in the capital to become self-reliant, entrepreneurs, and economically empowered. To this end, the government has provided collateral-free loans of up to Rs 10 crore for women self-help groups and startups, guaranteed by the Delhi government itself.
The Chief Minister announced that the Delhi government will now regularly provide appropriate platforms for indigenous products in malls and large shopping complexes, where local products can find a wider market.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta was addressing the inauguration of the two-day ‘Mega Self Help Group (SHG) Mela-2026’ held at Unity One Mall, near Rohini West Metro Station in northwest Delhi on Saturday evening. He said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is continuously presenting the vision of ‘adopting indigenous products’, ‘self-reliant India’, and ‘one district, one product’ to the country. Furthering this vision, this fair is a powerful effort to promote indigenous products made by women and connect them to the market.
Member of Parliament Yogendra Chandolia, MLA Kulwant Rana, North West District District Magistrate Soumya Saurabh, senior district administration officials, representatives from various banking institutions, and a large number of women associated with self-help groups were present on this occasion. The fair was organized by the North West District Administration.
The Chief Minister said that the country’s women, through small industries and handmade products, are not only increasing their family income but also strengthening the country’s economy. He said that people often chase foreign brands, while Indian handicrafts, khadi, home-made products, and handmade items are incomparable in quality. The only need is better branding and marketing.
He said that today, India is rapidly moving towards self-reliance in every sector, including defense, space, agriculture, and manufacturing, and Indian products are being exported worldwide. Therefore, there is a need to give national and international recognition to the home-made and handmade products made by women. The Chief Minister appealed to the people to use more local and indigenous products instead of foreign goods.
The Chief Minister said that the Delhi government wants every woman in the capital to join self-help groups, produce their own products, and market them. He said that the government is also making efforts to provide easy loans to women through banks. Various banks were also involved in this fair to strengthen the banking and financial access of self-help groups.
According to the Chief Minister, the Delhi government has arranged for collateral-free loans of up to ₹10 crore for women self-help groups and startups, which are being guaranteed by the Delhi government itself. The Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged citizens to conserve fuel, use public transport, and adopt indigenous products. The Delhi government is also promoting campaigns like “Monday Metro” and “No Vehicle Day” to save fuel and boost the national economy. He said that if people make small changes to their daily routine, the country will directly benefit.
Approximately 24 self-help groups participated in this mega fair. Handicrafts, crochet work, khadi, household products, food items, and other handmade items were exhibited and sold. Handicrafts from North West District were specially showcased under the “One District, One Product” campaign. The Chief Minister congratulated the district administration and all participants involved in the event, stating that such events play an important role in strengthening a self-reliant India and the indigenous economy under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi.
