Damoh, Madhya Pradesh – Smoke-filled kitchens are becoming relics of the past in this rural heartland, thanks to PM Modi’s transformative Ujjwala Yojana. The program has handed independence to women long chained to traditional cooking methods, sparking a wave of empowerment.
Picture this: Kamla Devi, 45, from Tendukheda block, used to spend 4-5 hours daily gathering wood and battling respiratory issues. Today, with her free LPG connection, she manages a home-based kirana store. ‘I earn Rs 300-400 daily now. My daughter studies without worrying about chores,’ she beams.
Data speaks volumes. Damoh has seen 18,000+ LPG refills monthly since rollout, cutting deforestation by 30% and indoor pollution drastically. Health camps report fewer cases of chronic coughs among women and children. The ripple effect? More girls attending school, higher female workforce participation.
Critics once questioned scalability, but on-ground realities silence doubts. Doorstep delivery, subsidized refills at Rs 800, and awareness drives have ensured 95% usage rates. Village sarpanchs lead refill camps, fostering community ownership.
This isn’t mere welfare; it’s a socio-economic shift. Women’s self-help groups are pooling savings for enterprises, from poultry farming to handicrafts. As PM Modi envisioned, clean fuel is fueling ambitions. Damoh’s women aren’t just cooking differently – they’re living differently.
