Mar 26: Rajshree Shukla from Barabanki today stands as an example of the transformation made possible through the convergence of government schemes and personal effort. Once living with limited resources, Rajshree has now established a distinct identity as a ‘Vidyut Sakhi’.
This initiative launched by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has not only provided her with employment but also given her a new recognition in her district. Her work of going door-to-door to collect electricity bills has now become a symbol of convenience and trust for thousands of people.
Rajshree’s work is not limited to bill collection alone, but has brought a major convenience to rural life. Due to her efforts, villagers have been relieved from standing in long queues, and timely bill payments have also improved revenue collection for the electricity department. So far, she has collected payments for more than 81,000 electricity bills.
As a result of her hard work, she has facilitated the deposit of bills amounting to more than ₹18 crore. Today, her annual income exceeds ₹10 lakh, showing that with the right opportunities, rural women can become financially empowered and stand on their own feet.
Rajshree is associated with the ‘Radha Self-Help Group’ and started this work in 2021 with a bank support of just ₹30,000. Initially, the journey was not easy, but she organized awareness camps across villages, informing people about digital payments, bill services, and government schemes. Within a short period, her monthly income exceeded ₹80,000. Her honesty and hard work gradually earned people’s trust. Today, women in the village themselves call her for assistance with bill payments. This trust has become her greatest asset.
Rajshree Shukla’s achievement has been appreciated at the state level as well. On the occasion of International Women’s Day, she was honoured by Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya at a program held at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan in Lucknow.
Her success is not only a personal achievement but also an inspiration for society. She has proven that women can move forward in every field and empower not only themselves but also society.
On 9 November 2024, during the ‘Aakanksha Haat’ program, 5 meritorious women of Uttar Pradesh were honoured, including Vidyut Sakhi Rajshree Shukla. Additionally, she has been honoured with certificates of appreciation by senior officials of Madhyanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited on 15 August 2023, 26 January 2024, and 15 August 2025.
Due to her achievements, she was invited by the Prime Minister to the Red Fort in Delhi on 15 August 2024, where she witnessed the flag hoisting ceremony. She was also specially invited to a meeting and dinner program organized at the Ministry of Rural Development on 14 August 2024.
Today, Vidyut Sakhi across Uttar Pradesh are actively performing commendable work, having collected electricity bills worth thousands of crores over the past few years, thereby strengthening the state’s system.
This initiative is not just a scheme but has become a powerful model of women empowerment, digital empowerment, and rural development. Women like Rajshree Shukla are proof that when government schemes are implemented in the right direction and people adopt them, change is not only possible but also sustainable.
