Nai Roshni Scheme

In 2012, the Ministry of Minority Affairs unveiled the “Nai Roshni” scheme. The scheme’s goal is to give minority women leadership experience. These ladies are given information on how to use the resources and methods for using government programmes, government systems, banks, etc.

What is Nai Roshni Scheme?

• The Nai Roshni is a Leadership Development Program for Minority Women and it began in 2012–2013.
• It is a Central Sector Program for women from minority communities who are between the ages of 18 and 65.
• By giving knowledge, resources, and tactics for interacting with government processes, banks, and other organisations at all levels, the programme aims to empower and instill confidence in minority women, including their neighbours from different communities living in the same village or locality.
• NGOs, civil society organisations, and government agencies from all around the nation assist in running it.
• It contains a variety of training modules, such as those on leadership in women, educational programmes, health and hygiene, Swachch Bharat, financial literacy, life skills, legal rights of women, digital literacy, and advocacy for social and behavioural change.

The Objective of the Nai Roshni Scheme:

The following are the objectives of the Nai Roshni Scheme:

• Nai Roshni Scheme is a Government welfare scheme launched to empower minority women with knowledge, basic techniques and tools which would help them interact with government banks and other institutions on all levels.
• The scheme has been implemented through NGOs, civil societies and government institutions.
• Minority women can apply for the scheme online as well.
• The scheme helps in fighting different social stigmas such as poverty, as women and children are the worst sufferers of poverty. 
• It empowers the minority women to stand up for their rights and help them grow economically thus strengthening civil society.

The Target Group of Nai Roshni Scheme:

• The target group includes Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Buddhist, Zoroastrian (Parsi), and Jain women who have been notified under Section 2(c) of the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992.
• However, the programme allows a mix of women from non-minority populations to make up no more than 25% of a project proposal in order to strengthen the mosaic of diversity in society and foster solidarity and togetherness through their own efforts to improve their lot.
• The organisation should make an effort to recruit women from SCs, STs, and OBCs in a representative mix. This 25% category also includes people from other cultures and women who have impairments.

Eligibility Criteria for Organisations to be Part of the Nai Roshni:

The following organisations are eligible to apply for financial aid under this programme:

• Only the Societies that have a Societies Registration Act, 1860, registration.
• Any public trust that has been officially recognised by a statute for decades.
• Private nonprofit organisations are authorised by Section 25 of the 1956 Indian Companies Act.
• Universities and other higher education institutions that the University Grants Commission has approved (UGC)
• Any state government or Union Territory is in charge of running the Panchayati Raj Training institutes.
• Registered self-help groups and cooperative organisations for women.

Significance of the Nai Roshni Scheme:

• In addition to being crucial for achieving equity, women’s empowerment is also a key component of our efforts to eliminate poverty, spur economic growth, and promote civil society.
• In a family living in poverty, women and children always suffer the most and require assistance. It is even more crucial to empower women, especially mothers because it is in the house that they raise their children and shape their character.
• In addition to claiming their fair share of government development benefits for bettering their lives and living conditions. 
• It empowers minority women to leave the safety and security of their homes and communities and take on leadership roles and assert their rights to access services, facilities, skills, and opportunities.

NITI Aayog’s Study on the Nai Roshni Scheme:

• NITI Aayog carried out a study to determine the scheme’s effect on minorities and the challenges encountered during execution.
• The study was conducted in Assam, West Bengal, Punjab, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. It also covered 15 districts, 30 blocks, 87 villages, and 27 NGOs.
• The majority of the study’s findings, according to NITI Aayog, show that the programme has been well-received by the majority of the population segments and has helped minority women gain confidence and a sense of leadership.
• Trained women are using their expertise to support their families, neighbours, and community groups in bringing important demands and claims to the attention of various government bodies.

Conclusion:

In the fight against poverty, empowered women are essential. As the majority of people are aware, empowering women is an issue of equity in our society. We can increase the economic growth of the homes, which is nothing more than increasing the economic growth of the nation, by supporting women and teaching them leadership skills. To achieve a strong India and empowered women, the Nai Roshni scheme was a good effort and its results are coming up.

Related Frequently Asked Questions and Answers:

Q1. What is Nai Roshni Scheme?

Ans: The Nai Roshni is a Leadership Development Program for Minority Women and it began in 2012–2013. It is a Central Sector Program for women from minority communities who are between the ages of 18 and 65. By giving knowledge, resources, and tactics for interacting with government processes, banks, and other organisations at all levels, the programme aims to empower and instill confidence in minority women, including their neighbours from different communities living in the same village or locality.

Q2. What is the importance of the Nai Roshni Scheme?

Ans: The following are the importance of the Nai Roshni Scheme:

• In addition to being crucial for achieving equity, women’s empowerment is also a key component of our efforts to eliminate poverty, spur economic growth, and promote civil society.
• In a family living in poverty, women and children always suffer the most and require assistance. It is even more crucial to empower women, especially mothers, because it is in the house that they raise their children and shape their character.
• In addition to claiming their fair share of government development benefits for bettering their lives and living conditions. 

Q3. Which Ministry implements the Nai Roshni Scheme?

Ans: Nai Roshni Scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Minority Affairs. The scheme’s goal is to give minority women leadership experience. These ladies are given information on how to use the resources and methods for using government programmes, government systems, banks, etc.

Q4. What is the objective of the Nai Roshni Scheme?

Ans: The following are the objectives of the Nai Roshni Scheme:

• Nai Roshni Scheme is a Government welfare scheme launched to empower minority women with knowledge, basic techniques and tools which would help them interact with government banks and other institutions on all levels.
• The scheme has been implemented through NGOs, civil societies and government institutions.
• Minority women can apply for the scheme online as well.
• The scheme helps in fighting different social stigmas such as poverty, as women and children are the worst sufferers of poverty.

Q5. Write the NITI Aayog’s observation on Nai Roshni Scheme?

Ans: NITI Aayog’s observation of the Nai Roshni Scheme:

• NITI Aayog carried out a study to determine the scheme’s effect on minorities and the challenges encountered during execution.
  The study was conducted in Assam, West Bengal, Punjab, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. It also covered 15 districts, 30 blocks, 87 villages, and 27 NGOs.
• The majority of the study’s findings, according to NITI Aayog, show that the programme has been well-received by the majority of the population segments and has helped minority women gain confidence and a sense of leadership.
• Trained women are using their expertise to support their families, neighbours, and community groups in bringing important demands and claims to the attention of various government bodies.