Bengaluru, September 2, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Wednesday said that Sita’s character in the Ramayana was “much greater” than that of Lord Rama, citing her sacrifices and struggles as an inspiration for women.
Shivakumar made the remarks while praising women entrepreneurs for overcoming challenges and building successful enterprises. He was speaking after inaugurating the fifth edition of ‘Together We Grow—International Women Entrepreneurship Day’, organised by the Ubuntu Consortium of Women Entrepreneurs Association at the FKCCI auditorium in Bengaluru.
“Ramayana’s Sita’s character is much greater than Rama’s. Her sacrifices and struggles are an inspiration. Women are creators, and those of you who have built enterprises by overcoming challenges are role models,” he said.
The Chief Minister also cited Congress leader Sonia Gandhi as an example of sacrifice and leadership. He referred to the deaths of Indira Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi’s husband, saying that despite such setbacks, she led the Congress party. He also said that although she had opportunities to become Prime Minister twice, she gave way to economist Manmohan Singh.
Shivakumar said women’s leadership was needed at every level, from gram panchayats to Parliament, and asserted that his government was committed to women’s empowerment.
Highlighting the government’s welfare schemes, he said the Shakti scheme enabled women to travel free of cost on government buses across Karnataka and had increased their confidence and self-reliance. He also said 1.22 crore women were receiving Rs 2,000 per month under the Gruha Lakshmi scheme.
“Our government has implemented several women-centric programmes, including loans at four per cent interest, subsidies and the Stree Shakti scheme. Around 40 per cent of doctors graduating every year are women. Women are not confined to the kitchen. They are good thinkers and entrepreneurs,” he said.
Referring to the Ubuntu initiative, Shivakumar said thousands of dreams had come together through the platform and urged women entrepreneurs to grow collectively. He also called for a change in the mindset that the first child should be a boy, stressing the importance of empowering daughters.
“As parents, we must teach values and discipline to our children. We must take pride in seeing our daughters become empowered women who can successfully manage both their families and businesses,” he said.
Shivakumar said women had traditionally held an important place in Indian culture, referring to figures such as Draupadi and Kunti and the worship of Chamundeshwari and village deities in Karnataka.
He also welcomed women’s reservation across party lines and said the 33 per cent reservation would create greater opportunities for women to emerge as leaders.
“If you have opportunities and talent, you can become leaders. We have accepted women’s reservation across party lines. There is a need for women’s leadership from gram panchayats to Parliament. With 33 per cent reservation, it will not be possible to prevent women from emerging as leaders,” he said.
The Chief Minister also urged entrepreneurs to support the proposed tunnel road project aimed at easing traffic congestion in Bengaluru. He alleged that opposition to the project was politically motivated and said the tunnel road would save people’s time and money.
He said Bengaluru was rapidly expanding and had around 1.4 crore vehicles, while the government was spending Rs 1.5 lakh crore on infrastructure development to strengthen the city’s transportation system.
Urging women entrepreneurs not to lose confidence, Shivakumar called upon them to become partners in Karnataka’s development.
“Money and blood must always keep flowing. If money is accumulated in one place, development is not possible. Women entrepreneurs should not lose confidence. Where there is hard work, there will be results,” he said.
Expressing confidence in the potential of women and youth, the Chief Minister said Karnataka’s development required the participation of everyone.
“India’s development is based on the development of South India. Coming together is the beginning, staying together is progress and working together is success. Everyone should become a partner in Karnataka’s development,” he said.
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