Following an 11-year interlude, in February 2024, the (NSSO), under the Union Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, unveiled data on National Household Consumption Expenditure. This data spotlighted the stark disparity between the wealthiest and the most impoverished in India, revealing that the monthly per capita consumption expenditure (MPCE) for the bottom five percent of the rural population stood at a mere Rs 1,373. Put simply, the daily expenditure of the poorest five percent in rural areas amounted to a meager Rs 46, in contrast to Rs 350 for the richest five percent.

Efforts to drive lasting change necessitate policy interventions, yet social initiatives spearheaded by changemakers who value the socio-economic and cultural diversity of rural India can also wield significant impact. This International Women’s Day, let’s meet five remarkable women who are championing rural upliftment and addressing issues such as water scarcity, gender equality, environmental conservation, and sustainable development.