Nirmala Sitharaman Discusses Bridging Inequality and Empowering Women at Columbia University
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman spoke at Columbia University in New York, highlighting efforts to reduce inequality in India. She emphasized that over the past decade, the government has implemented various schemes to address poverty and inequality through a comprehensive approach. These initiatives include financial inclusion, collateral-free lending, affordable housing, and health insurance for the poor.
Sitharaman also highlighted the government’s focus on empowering women, mentioning the ‘Drone Didis’ scheme, which trains women in rural areas to operate drones, leading to significant changes in their communities. She noted that this initiative has transformed these women into ‘Lakhpati Didis,’ indicating their financial success.
During the session, Sitharaman stressed the importance of strengthening India’s economic and strategic relationships with global partners to meet the aspirations of its 1.4 billion citizens. She also visited the New York Stock Exchange, where she interacted with a floor operator and learned about the trading of 11 Indian companies on the bourse.
Doubts Revealed
Nirmala Sitharaman -: Nirmala Sitharaman is the Finance Minister of India. She is responsible for managing the country’s finances, including the budget and economic policies.
Columbia University -: Columbia University is a famous university located in New York City, USA. It is known for its high-quality education and research.
Inequality -: Inequality means that some people have more money, resources, or opportunities than others. Reducing inequality means making sure everyone has a fair chance to succeed.
Financial inclusion -: Financial inclusion means making sure everyone has access to financial services like bank accounts, loans, and insurance, especially for poor and rural people.
Health insurance -: Health insurance helps people pay for medical expenses. It is important for poor people so they can get treatment without worrying about high costs.
‘Drone Didis’ program -: The ‘Drone Didis’ program trains women in rural areas to use drones. Drones are flying machines that can be used for many purposes, like farming or taking pictures.
New York Stock Exchange -: The New York Stock Exchange is a place where people buy and sell shares of companies. It is one of the largest stock exchanges in the world.