Pune | Ramesh Jadhav
A women empowerment initiative spearheaded by senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and Ambegaon MLA Diliprao Walse Patil has drawn attention for its sustained impact on rural women’s economic and social development. The programme, organised recently at Shivgiri Mangal Karyalaya in Manchar to mark the birth anniversary of the late Ajit Dada Pawar, honoured successful women entrepreneurs, progressive farmers, and members of self-help groups (SHGs) for their achievements.
The initiative reflected the vision of empowering women through financial independence and entrepreneurship, a goal closely associated with the late Ajit Dada Pawar. According to Walse Patil, creating opportunities for women to become self-reliant remains central to achieving inclusive development in Ambegaon.
Focus on Economic Independence
Walse Patil emphasised that true social progress is possible only when women participate equally in economic development. Inspired by the leadership of veteran politician Sharad Pawar, efforts were made to strengthen women's participation in governance and encourage greater representation through reservation in local bodies.
A major thrust was placed on expanding women's self-help groups across the constituency. Since 2008, the movement has gained significant momentum, aided by affordable credit initiatives announced by MP Supriya Sule. Walse Patil, who has served for many years as a director of the Pune District Central Cooperative Bank, played a key role in facilitating financial support for SHGs.
Today, more than 3,500 self-help groups operate across the Ambegaon Assembly constituency, providing thousands of women with opportunities for entrepreneurship and livelihood generation.
Skill Development Creates Entrepreneurs
The initiative has focused extensively on vocational training to help women establish sustainable businesses. Under the guidance of Walse Patil and with the active involvement of his wife Kiran Tai Walse Patil, women have received training in spoken English, bag manufacturing, food processing, catering, packaging, and other income-generating activities.
Many SHGs have evolved into successful business enterprises. Several groups undertake catering contracts, prepare nutritious meals for school nutrition programmes, and provide essential public services. Around 48 SHGs distribute electricity bills across 68 villages, while 73 groups manage fair-price ration shops in tribal and rural areas, reflecting the growing confidence and capability of women-led organisations.
Anusaya Mahila Unnati Kendra Drives Change
To institutionalise these efforts, the Anusaya Mahila Unnati Kendra was established in Manchar as a dedicated training and development centre for women. The centre has become a hub for skill enhancement, entrepreneurship, and capacity building.
Alongside training programmes, government welfare schemes such as the Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar Yojana and various women and child welfare initiatives have been implemented through special camps across the constituency. Walse Patil has also promoted industrial growth in Ambegaon by improving infrastructure and encouraging investment, creating employment opportunities for women trained through SHGs.
Cooperative Credit Strengthens Rural Women
Recognising that limited access to affordable credit often forced women to depend on moneylenders charging exorbitant interest, Walse Patil encouraged SHGs to establish their own cooperative credit society. Beyond offering advice, he actively supported the formation of the institution.
The cooperative now provides loans of up to ₹50,000 to women members at a concessional interest rate of 2 per cent, enabling many beneficiaries to invest in dairy farming, goat rearing, poultry, and other agriculture-allied businesses.
The initiative has significantly reduced dependence on informal lending while promoting financial inclusion and self-employment among rural women.
The Ambegaon model of women empowerment, driven by skill development, cooperative finance, entrepreneurship, and institutional support, is increasingly being viewed as a successful example of grassroots development and inclusive growth.
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