President Murmu Highlights Pradhan Mantri Doodh Yojana for Viksit Bharat

The "Pradhan Mantri Doodh Yojana" is presented as a key scheme in the context, aiming to improve nutrition and economic opportunities in rural areas. However, as of current public knowledge, a widely publicized central government scheme by this exact name with these specific objectives is not prominent. UPSC often introduces seemingly plausible but non-existent or very minor schemes to test awareness.

'Women's empowerment' traditionally focuses on increasing women's agency and ability to make choices, often through welfare programs and rights. 'Women-led development', however, goes a step further, positioning women not just as beneficiaries but as active agents and leaders in the development process itself.

• •Empowerment: Focuses on providing opportunities and resources to women to overcome barriers.
• •Women-led Development: Emphasizes women's active participation, decision-making, and leadership in shaping development outcomes across all sectors.
• •Significance for Viksit Bharat: This shift is crucial because it recognizes that true national progress requires women's unique perspectives and leadership, moving beyond mere inclusion to active co-creation of development strategies, leading to more inclusive and sustainable growth.

B.R. Ambedkar's quote, "I measure the progress of a community by the degree of progress which women have achieved," is highly versatile and impactful.

• •GS Paper 1 (Society): To emphasize the social indicator of women's status for overall societal health and development.
• •GS Paper 2 (Governance/Social Justice): To argue for policy interventions and legal reforms aimed at women's rights and equality, linking it to constitutional values.
• •Mains Essay: As an opening or concluding statement to underscore the foundational importance of gender equality for national progress and human development.
• •Reinforcement: It reinforces the idea that women's progress is not just a women's issue but a fundamental metric for the entire nation's advancement towards 'Viksit Bharat'.

While legal frameworks provide essential protection and rights, their effectiveness is often limited if societal attitudes and deeply ingrained patriarchal mindsets, especially within families, do not evolve.

• •Enforcement Gap: Laws can be difficult to enforce without societal cooperation and awareness, leading to underreporting of issues like domestic violence.
• •Cultural Barriers: Traditional norms and biases often perpetuate discrimination, unequal pay, and restrict women's equal participation, even where laws exist to prevent them.
• •Holistic Progress: True equality and 'Viksit Bharat' require not just legal equality but also social acceptance and active support for women's roles in all spheres, starting from the home.

The President's emphasis on women's equal participation and 'women-led development' directly aligns with and reinforces the government's recent policy thrusts.

• •Gender Budgeting: This ensures that financial allocations across various sectors specifically address women's needs and promote their welfare, providing a concrete mechanism for 'women-led development'.
• •Nari Shakti Vandan Act: By reserving seats for women in Parliament and State Assemblies, this Act aims to increase women's representation in political decision-making, directly fostering 'women-led development' and ensuring their voices shape national policies.
• •Digital Literacy & Skill Development: These initiatives empower women with tools for economic independence and participation in the modern economy, contributing to their overall development and leadership potential.

To accelerate women's equal participation for 'Viksit Bharat', India needs a multi-pronged strategy addressing both economic and social dimensions.

• •Economic:
• •Formalizing Women's Work: Promote formal sector employment and entrepreneurship for women, ensuring equal pay and social security benefits.
• •Access to Credit & Markets: Enhance access to financial resources and market linkages for women entrepreneurs and self-help groups.
• •Skill Development: Tailor skill development programs to emerging industries and digital technologies, making women future-ready.
• •Social:
• •Early Education & Health: Ensure universal access to quality education and healthcare, especially for girls, to build a strong foundation.
• •Challenging Gender Stereotypes: Launch sustained public awareness campaigns to challenge patriarchal norms and promote shared responsibilities within homes.
• •Safe Public Spaces: Invest in infrastructure and policing to ensure safer public and workplaces for women, encouraging their mobility and participation.