BHOPAL/Four more women from economically vulnerable families joined the ranks of ‘Shakti Didis’ in Gwalior on Thursday, taking the total number of women working as fuel delivery workers at petrol pumps in the district to 127. The initiative, launched by District Collector Ruchika Chauhan in line with Chief Minister Mohan Yadav’s vision, continues to transform lives by providing dignified employment and fostering self-reliance.
Women who were earlier confined to their homes due to economic hardship or social neglect are now successfully handling fuel delivery responsibilities. Officials say their work goes beyond filling vehicles with petrol or diesel — it is filling their lives and those of their families with respect, confidence and financial stability. The ‘Shakti Didi’ model has emerged as a notable example of women’s empowerment in the district.
On Thursday, Collector Chauhan formally inducted three women — Manju, Kajal and Poonam — at the HPCL Service Centre in Hurawali area of the Gwalior city. She presented them with flower garlands and the distinctive jackets that mark their new role. Separately, Additional District Magistrate C.B. Prasad oversaw the induction of Seema Solanki at a city fuel station.
The women themselves described the change in positive terms. “We have received not just employment but also respect and self-confidence,” said the new Shakti Didis, including Manju and Kajal. They added that successfully managing the responsibilities at the pumps has boosted their belief in themselves. “It feels as though we are no longer dependent on anyone; instead, we have become the support for our families.”
Collector Chauhan’s innovation, which began in early 2025 with a handful of women, prioritises not only jobs but also social standing and economic participation for needy women. Participants create their own identity while contributing to household income. The programme has steadily expanded, with women now working across multiple petrol pumps in the district under arrangements that include training, wages, insurance and safety measures.
District officials describe the effort as a practical response to the needs of women from weaker sections who had limited opportunities. For many who faced difficult circumstances, the initiative has become a source of hope and a pathway to independence. With 127 Shakti Didis now on the job, Gwalior’s experiment continues to demonstrate how targeted administrative action can open traditionally male-dominated spaces to women and deliver tangible empowerment.