Archive · 3 Sep 2026
Shivakumar Praises Women’s Leadership, Backs Bengaluru Tunnel Project
D.K. Shivakumar spoke at a women entrepreneurs’ event in Bengaluru.
He said Sita’s sacrifices and struggles in the Ramayana were very inspiring.
He praised women who build businesses despite difficulties.
He also praised Sonia Gandhi for leading the Congress party and giving way to Manmohan Singh as prime minister.
Shivakumar said women should become leaders in villages, cities and Parliament.
He discussed government programmes that provide free bus travel, monthly payments and other support to women.
He urged families to value daughters and help them become independent.
He asked entrepreneurs to support a proposed tunnel project intended to reduce Bengaluru’s traffic.
He said everyone should work together to develop Karnataka.
D.K. Shivakumar said Sita’s character, sacrifices and struggles were greater than Rama’s and could inspire women.
He described women entrepreneurs who overcome challenges and build businesses as role models for society.
Shivakumar cited Sonia Gandhi’s leadership and decision to make way for Manmohan Singh as an example of sacrifice.
He highlighted the Shakti, Gruha Lakshmi and other women-focused schemes, including subsidised loans and the Stree Shakti programme.
He urged women entrepreneurs to support Bengaluru’s proposed tunnel project and participate in Karnataka’s development.
- Who
- Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, women entrepreneurs and the Ubuntu Consortium of Women Entrepreneurs Association.
- What
- Shivakumar praised women’s sacrifice, entrepreneurship and leadership, highlighted empowerment schemes, and urged support for Bengaluru’s proposed tunnel project.
- When
- Wednesday; the specific date was not stated.
- Where
- The FKCCI auditorium in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
- Why
- He was speaking after inaugurating the fifth edition of “Together We Grow—International Women Entrepreneurship Day” and calling for women’s participation in Karnataka’s development.
Tunnel Project Supporters
Tunnel Project Opponents
Rationale for the project
Tunnel Project Supporters
Shivakumar said the proposed tunnel road would ease Bengaluru’s traffic congestion and save commuters time and money.
Tunnel Project Opponents
The articles report opposition to the project but do not provide opponents’ detailed arguments.
Nature of opposition
Tunnel Project Supporters
Shivakumar urged entrepreneurs to publicly support the project.
Tunnel Project Opponents
Shivakumar alleged that opposition to the tunnel project was politically motivated; the articles do not independently establish the reason for the opposition.
- Event
- Fifth edition of “Together We Grow—International Women Entrepreneurship Day”
- Organizer
- Ubuntu Consortium of Women Entrepreneurs Association
- Shakti scheme
- Provides women free travel on government buses across Karnataka, according to Shivakumar.
- Gruha Lakshmi scheme
- Provides ₹2,000 a month to 1.22 crore women, according to Shivakumar.
- Women’s representation
- Shivakumar referred to 33 per cent reservation and called for women’s leadership from gram panchayats to Parliament.
- Bengaluru vehicles
- The city has around 1.4 crore vehicles, according to Shivakumar.
- Infrastructure spending
- The government is spending ₹1.5 lakh crore on infrastructure development, according to Shivakumar.
