"Daughters of Chhattisgarh are not just beneficiaries now, they are becoming agents of social change," says Chief Minister Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, hails the initiative
Enu, a resident of the small village of Umarda in Chhattisgarh’s Dhamtari district, is now known across the country as “Scooty Didi.” Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai lauded her grit, self-reliance, and her efforts in empowering rural women, saying that daughters like Enu truly embody the spirit of Atmanirbhar Bharat. He added that her courage, dedication, and determination are reshaping the narrative of rural Chhattisgarh.
Enu’s inspiring journey is a testament to the fact that when one is driven by passion and purpose, the lack of resources, societal pressures, or age-old traditions cannot hold them back. Born into a modest rural family, Enu pursued her education under challenging circumstances and earned a postgraduate degree in Economics. She later joined the Chhattisgarh State Rural Livelihood Mission, ‘Bihan’, where she received training in tailoring and embroidery, secured a loan of ₹1 lakh, and set a shining example of financial discipline by repaying it on time.
Realising that mobility was key to rural women's empowerment, Enu learned to ride a scooter through training from the Pratham Foundation. Despite early ridicule and taunts from society, she stood her ground and never lost confidence. As she started visiting village after village on her scooter, engaging with women, people began calling her “Scooty Didi.”
In 2023, Enu established a “Women’s Two-Wheeler Training Centre.” Initially, just two or three women enrolled, but over time, this initiative sparked a quiet revolution in rural society. To date, she has trained more than 30 women to ride scooters—women who now independently commute to anganwadis, schools, banks, and health centres.
Her initiative has not only eased the daily mobility of rural women but has also triggered a perceptible shift in social attitudes. Today, parents themselves send their daughters and daughters-in-law to Enu for training. Her dream is to empower 1,000 women and soon start a four-wheeler driving training centre as well.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai noted that people like Enu are redefining the identity of Chhattisgarh. He reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to promoting such grassroots innovations through schemes like ‘Bihan’, which are bringing about real transformation on the ground.
Enu’s contribution goes far beyond driving lessons. She has also trained women in tailoring and embroidery, LED assembly, MGNREGA works, and household management. Impressed by her work, Smt. Swati Sharma, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, along with Dhamtari Collector Shri Avinash Mishra, visited Umarda village to meet Enu and appreciated her efforts.
The Ministry of Rural Development also shared Enu’s story on its official Facebook page, acknowledging her indomitable spirit. "She had a shortage of resources in life, but no one could shake her determination," the post read. It highlighted how she completed her M.A., received training under 'Bihan' and 'Pratham Foundation', and not only became self-reliant but also an inspiration for others.
CM Vishnu Deo Sai concluded by saying, "Daughters of Chhattisgarh are no longer just beneficiaries; they are emerging as torchbearers of change. The state government will always support initiatives that advance women's empowerment."