National: On the occasion of the 77th Republic Day, woman farmer Savitri Jandhu from a small village in Haryana’s Hisar district was specially invited by Hon’ble President Droupadi Murmu to the traditional ‘At Home’ reception ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. This occasion was not limited to personal recognition alone, but emerged as a powerful testament to the country’s rural strength, women’s leadership, and the green energy movement. The journey to Rashtrapati Bhavan symbolises that villages, farmers, and women are now playing a decisive role in India’s development narrative.
Approximately 250 distinguished dignitaries, including Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, were present at this ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The chief guests present at the event included European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa, who were accorded special hospitality by President Droupadi Murmu. This year’s ‘At Home’ ceremony theme focused on the art, culture, and ecology of Northeast India, showcasing Indian cultural diversity through traditional handicrafts and Eri silk stoles.
This national honour stands as a testament to an extraordinary rural journey. Savitri Jandhu, a resident of village Modakheda near the Adampur area of Hisar district in Haryana and wife of J Infratech Limited Chairman Hari Niwas Jandhu, has successfully established a two-megawatt capacity solar energy project on her eight acres of agricultural land under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) scheme. This project is the first solar project to be completed under the PM-KUSUM scheme in the region, giving Hisar special recognition on the national map of green energy.
Recalling her meeting with the President, Savitri Jandhu said, “This honour is not mine alone, but belongs to every farmer who dares to try something new and every woman who wants to step forward and lead. My journey from soil to megawatts is proof that a rural woman can also make a significant contribution to the country’s green development and self-reliance. I began with the belief that our villages, too, can energise India’s future. This recognition received on Republic Day inspires me to dream bigger and do better.”
The objective of the PM-KUSUM scheme is to make farmers self-reliant in the field of energy, reduce dependence on diesel-based irrigation, promote renewable energy, and increase farmers’ income. The solar project established by Savitri Jandhu practically realises all these objectives. The electricity generated from this project is connected to the grid, which has promoted clean and green energy production, created a source of sustainable additional income for farmers, and strengthened environmental protection through a reduction in carbon emissions.
This solar project is not limited to energy production alone, but has also created new employment opportunities in rural areas. Local youth have found employment in work such as installation, maintenance, security, and technical operations. Additionally, this project is an excellent example of how underutilised or barren land can be transformed into an effective means of sustainable revenue generation.
The establishment of a two-megawatt capacity solar energy project by a rural woman farmer is a powerful example of women’s empowerment and innovation. This demonstrates that women are no longer limited to traditional farming alone, but are also playing a pioneering role in modern technology, energy management, and national development.
Savitri Jandhu’s initiative represents a practical demonstration of the PM-KUSUM scheme’s objectives in action. The project serves as a reference model for farmers in Hisar, Haryana, and other regions exploring renewable energy integration with agricultural practices, particularly for women entrepreneurs in the rural energy sector.