Mangaluru: 'Gruhalakshmi helped me pay son's school fee', says woman
Mangaluru: Gayathri, a beneficiary of 'Gruhalakshmi', stated that she saved the money received in ten installments of the scheme to pay the school fee of her son. Guarantee schemes had helped single parents like her to educate their children, she said while urging the government to continue the program. She was in conversation with Guarantee Schemes Implementation Committee state vice-president Dr Pushpa Amaranath, along with other beneficiaries, at DK Zilla Panchayat's Nethravati Auditorium in Mangalore on Wednesday.
Ashwini, another beneficiary from Shanthigiri near Moodbidre, said that she used to get only 50 rupees from her husband when she needed a hundred to shop for basic needs of her house. "As we get 2000 rupees directly in our hands now, we need not ask anybody for minor expenses. We use 'Gruhalakshmi' money if we need to get the children something or to buy other items like soaps and toothpaste", she added.
"My family of five has availed the benefit of all Guarantee schemes except 'Yuvanidhi'. Our money reaches the coffers of the state again as tax when we buy anything from the outside with this amount. The four guarantees provide our family 4300 rupees in a month which amounts to 51000 rupees annually. Hats off to Siddaramaiah for such a scheme. The real lazy are those who call the guarantee schemes as 'bitti bhagya' and claim that it makes people lazy. Only those who have seen hunger and poverty in their lives will know the value of these schemes", Bharathi Bolar, a beneficiary from Mangaluru, stated.
Athika from Harekala explained how Anna Bhagya, Gruha Jyothi and Gruha Lakshmi had helped her family of ten which included her three children and grandchildren. As she was a widower, this had helped her to take care of her family in the absence of her husband, she said. "We can never forget this help of Siddaramaiah. He must become the Prime Minister", she added.
Lalitha, another beneficiary from Moodbidre, said that she was a daily wager and had to take loans to get one of her daughters married. "My son is physically challenged. Another daughter has only been employed recently. Son's medicines cost 2000 rupees per month. I am using Gruhalakshmi money for that now", she stated.
Explaining how Anna Bhagya and Gruhalakshmi benefited her, Laveena of Ullal said that she got daily wages as a manual labourer. "There is no work in the rainy season. It was difficult for us to even pay the electricity bill then. But now free electricity and other benefits are available", she added.
An unmarried woman named Leela from Muliki said that she stayed with her brothers. She was using the Gruhalakshmi amount for medicines, she said. "Now I don't have to seek anybody's help. These schemes must continue to benefit poor like us", she stated.
Responding to the rumors about the termination of the schemes, Dr Pushpa Amaranath said that this was the work of people who were jealous of the good work. She said that CM Siddaramaiah had assured that the schemes, which were a ray of hope for many, wouldn't be stopped. “This program has been popular in the country as '5-I program'. Others are also copying this and even the name of the scheme was stolen. Those who opposed the schemes earlier are implementing it now", she added.
District nodal officer for the implementation of the guarantee schemes and Zilla Panchayat CEO Dr Anand and District Implementation Committee President Bharat Mundodi were present.
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8 children between ages of 1 and 14 dead after mass shooting in Louisiana, police say
Shreveport(US) (AP): A gunman in Louisiana killed eight children in shootings at two different homes early Sunday in the nation's deadliest mass shooting in more than two years, police in Shreveport said.
The victims ranged in age from one to about 14 years old, said Shreveport police spokesperson Chris Bordelon. A total of 10 were shot and some of the children were related to the suspect, Bordelon said.
The gunman later died after a chase with officers who fired at the suspect, Bordelon said. The suspect stole a car while leaving the scene of the shootings and was followed by police, according to Bordelon.
Police did not release the name of the suspect but did say he was an adult male. The shootings were the result of a “domestic disturbance,” Bordelon said.
Officials said they were still gathering details at the crime scenes south of downtown Shreveport — the two homes and a third location.
“This is an extensive scene unlike anything most of us have ever seen,” he said.
It was the deadliest mass shooting in the US since eight people were killed in a Chicago suburb in January 2024, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University.
At a news conference outside the residence where one of the shootings occurred, officials appeared stunned, requesting patience and prayers from the community as they sorted through multiple crime scenes.
“I just don't know what to say, my heart is just taken aback,” Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith said. “I cannot begin to imagine how such an event could occur.”
“This is a tragic situation — maybe the worst tragic situation we've ever had,” said Tom Arceneaux, mayor of the city in northwestern Louisiana with about 180,000 residents. “It's a terrible morning.”
Louisiana State Police say their detectives have been asked by Shreveport police to investigate. In a statement, state police say no officers were harmed in the shooting that involved an officer after a police pursuit into Bossier City on Sunday morning.
State police are asking anyone with pictures, video or information to share it with state police detectives.
Louisiana Gov Jeff Landry said in a statement that he and his wife were heartbroken. “We're deeply grateful to the law enforcement officers and first responders working tirelessly on the scene,” he added.
