Anantapur, Nov 17: Myanmar Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi today said empowerment of women was vital for India's development. Ms Suu Kyi made these remarks when she visited the Papasanipalli village where she interacted with Madakasira Mandal Samkhya of the Sapthagiri SHG.

The visiting leader explained how the Self-Help Group movement had changed the fortunes of women. She praised Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) as a boon to the poor people. 'I am the advisor to safeguard the democracy, she said, adding she is taking the love and affection of the Anantapur people with her.

'Earlier, the pro-democracy leader arrived Kothulagutta village by a helicopter in the district to study the socio-economic transformation of people in villages brought about by various government welfare schemes. She was accompanied by Union Minister for Rural Development Jairam Ramesh and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar. Reddy.

Police made elaborate security arrangements due to her visit. Ms Suu Kyi also sat through a power point presentation on rural development in Andhra Pradesh and the impact of the welfare schemes being implemented by the central and state governments.

She later travelled by road to Govindapuram village and interacted with the people working under the Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGREGS). Ms Suu Kyi later left for Bangalore.

-Agencies