Sita’s character greater than Rama’s, women entrepreneurs are role models: CM D K Shivakumar

Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Wednesday said women have demonstrated their ability to successfully lead families, businesses and society, and called on women entrepreneurs to become partners in Karnataka’s development.

Speaking after inaugurating the fifth edition of Ubuntu’s international Women Entrepreneurs Day event, “Together We Grow,” at the FKCCI auditorium, Shivakumar said women’s leadership was needed from gram panchayats to Parliament. “Even in the Ramayana, Sita’s character is much greater than Rama’s. Her sacrifice and struggles are an inspiration. Women are creators, and those of you who have overcome challenges and built enterprises are role models for society,” he said.

Shivakumar said the State government was committed to women’s empowerment and expressed confidence in the strength of women and youth. He highlighted the government’s five guarantee schemes, particularly the Shakti scheme, which provides free travel to women on government buses, and the Gruha Lakshmi scheme, under which 1.22 crore women receive ₹2,000 a month.

He said the government had also introduced several women-focused initiatives, including loans at four per cent interest, subsidies and the Stree Shakti programme. “Women are no longer confined to the kitchen. They are good thinkers and successful entrepreneurs,” he said.

The CM also urged society to move away from the mindset that families should preferably have a boy as their first child. Parents, he said, must instil values and discipline in their children and encourage daughters to become independent and capable women.

Referring to women leaders in history and mythology, Shivakumar cited Sonia Gandhi, Indira Gandhi, Draupadi and Kunti as examples of women who played significant roles in public life. He said women had the ability to nurture leadership and that political parties had accepted the need for greater representation of women. “Women’s leadership is required from gram panchayats to Parliament. With 33 per cent reservation, there is no reason why women should not emerge as leaders,” he said.

Shivakumar also appealed to entrepreneurs to support the proposed tunnel project aimed at easing traffic congestion in Bengaluru. He alleged that opposition to the project was politically motivated and said the initiative would save commuters both time and money. “Bengaluru is expanding rapidly and has around 1.4 crore vehicles. The government is investing ₹1.5 lakh crore in infrastructure to strengthen the city’s transport system. Entrepreneurs should raise their voice in support of the tunnel project,” he said.

Calling on women entrepreneurs to remain confident and persistent, Shivakumar said wealth, like blood in the human body, should keep circulating for development to take place. “Women entrepreneurs should not lose confidence. Where there is hard work, there will be results. The government has immense faith in women, and you should become partners in the State’s development,” he said.

He concluded by stressing the importance of collective effort, saying Karnataka’s development required the participation of all sections of society.

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The Hans India