Karnataka govt's Shakti scheme creates world record for most women travelled in public transport
Bengaluru, Aug 18 (PTI): Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy on Monday said the state's Shakti Yojana guarantee scheme has set a world record for the largest number of women passengers travelling on public transport.
“Between June 11, 2023 and July 20, 500 crore women passengers travelled on ticketed journeys. This feat has entered the Golden Book of World Records,” said the minister.
US-based Golden Book of World Record (GBWR) is an Exclusive International Book of Records that aims to give a platform to people or organisations to have their name in the “golden pages of history”.
The minister thanked Karnataka State Regional Transport Corporation (KSRTC), Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), North West Karnataka Road Transport and Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporations for the historic achievement.
“The hard work, dedication and honest service of all the staff is commendable. The cooperation of the labour leaders cannot be forgotten as well,” he added.
The Shakti Yojana Guarantee Scheme was implemented immediately after he assumed office as the transport minister for the second time, he said.
“Five to six years prior to that, no new buses were added to the transport corporations, which were debt ridden. Given that, the success now, a result of collective work, has given me immense pleasure,” said Reddy.
According to him, in the two years of Shakti Yojana, 5,800 new buses were added to the transport corporations, as well as 10,000 new recruitments were made. He also said the Karnataka government has pumped in Rs 2,000 crore to pay off loans.
Reddy also cited ‘Beyond Free Rides’ Sustainable Mobility Network’s study conducted on free bus travel for women in cities and said the number of female employees has increased by 23 per cent in Bengaluru and 21 per cent in Hubli-Dharwad due to Shakti Yojana.
The minister said this has led to an increase in the per capita income of the state.
“The fact that several other states in the country are now implementing similar schemes -- under different names and with suitable adaptations -- stands as a testament to the success of our government’s Shakti Scheme,” he added.
Meanwhile, taking to 'X', Chief Minister Siddarmaiah said the credit for the achievement should go to the "mothers and sisters of Karnataka", who travel daily for purposes such as employment, education and medical treatment.
"From the day it was launched, Shakti Yojana, is a bold step towards women's empowerment," he added.
ಶಕ್ತಿ ಯೋಜನೆ ಪ್ರತಿಷ್ಠಿತ ವಿಶ್ವ ದಾಖಲೆಗೆ ಸೇರ್ಪಡೆ Golden Book of World Recordsನಲ್ಲಿ ದಾಖಲು- ಅತೀವ ಸಂತಸ ಮತ್ತು ಹೆಮ್ಮೆಯ ಕ್ಷಣ.
— Ramalinga Reddy (@RLR_BTM) August 18, 2025
ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ಮಹತ್ವಾಕಾಂಕ್ಷೆ ಯೋಜನೆ ಹಾಗೂ ಮಹಿಳಾ ಸಬಲೀಕರಣದ ದಿಟ್ಟ ಯೋಜನೆಯಾದ ಶಕ್ತಿ ಯೋಜನೆಯು Golden Book of World Records ನಲ್ಲಿ ಅತಿ ಹೆಚ್ಚು ಮಹಿಳಾ ಪ್ರಯಾಣಿಕರು ಪ್ರಯಾಣಿಸಿರುವ… pic.twitter.com/HMqN2npqpk
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Oppn, X users flag concerns over US envoy Sergio Gor’s visit to Army’s western command
New Delhi: A visit by the US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, to Chandigarh on Monday has triggered sharp criticism from opposition leaders and social media users, raising questions about national security and foreign policy.
On X, Ambassador Gor announced his visit, writing, “Just landed in Chandigarh. Looking forward to visiting the Western Command of the Indian Army.”
Just landed in Chandigarh. Looking forward to visiting the Western Command of the Indian Army
— Ambassador Sergio Gor (@USAmbIndia) February 16, 2026
Soon after, opposition voices questioned the broader implications of the visit. Congress Kerala, in a post, commented, “Why so much panic? We’ve already seen Pakistan's ISI getting access to Pathankot Airbase with this government's blessings. Didn't they say then ‘Modi ne kiya ho to kuch soch samajh kar kiya hoga?’ Compared to that, this is very small.”
Why so much panic? We’ve already seen Pakistan's ISI getting access to Pathankot Airbase with this government's blessings.
— Congress Kerala (@INCKerala) February 16, 2026
Didn't they say then "Modi ne kiya ho to kuch soch samajh kar kiya hoga?"
Compared to that, this is very small. pic.twitter.com/gNNuAGQBPC
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi also weighed in, writing, “Since India’s national strategic interests are now tied to what US wants India to do, this visit seems to sync with that.”
She further added, “India’s history will remember the de-escalation announcement between India and Pak was announced on social media by the US President before Indians got to know from their own government. US Ambassador is doing the job for his nation, who is doing for us? The answer is blowing in the wind.”
Since India’s national strategic interests are now tied to what US wants India to do, this visit seems to sync with that. India’s history will remember the de-escalation announcement between India and Pak was announced on social media by the US President before Indians got to… pic.twitter.com/rYMq5NhJHA
— Priyanka Chaturvedi🇮🇳 (@priyankac19) February 16, 2026
The visit comes against the backdrop of the growing US-India defence partnership.
Writer and political analyst @rajuparulekar commented on ‘X’, “East India Company is back!”
“Is it allowed for an ambassador to visit any army unit in india?” asked another user.
Several X users expressed concerns over the appropriateness of the visit.
One asked, “Is it allowed for an ambassador to visit any army unit in India?” Another wrote, “Why an ambassador visiting our army places? To talk to Chandigarh lobby for F-35?”
Why an ambassador visiting our army places ? To talk to chandigarh lobby for f-35 ??
— Rohan Sagar (@RohanSagar03) February 16, 2026
“We have completely sold Indian sovereignty. Rothschild the evil Bankers will now control NSE. Modi sold Bharat Mata to Trump . And now American imperialist is visiting our army command . Scary,” wrote another user.
“The Indian Army isn’t part of geopolitics, so why is he interested in visiting there?,” opined another.
The Indian Army isn’t part of geopolitics, so why is he interested in visiting there?
— Aditya Pratap Singh (@Adi_IIMCIAN) February 16, 2026
On Sunday, Gor welcomed Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), highlighting efforts to expand the growing US-India defence partnership.
In a post on X, Gor wrote, “Delighted to have @INDOPACOM Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo in India to expand the U.S.-India defense partnership. Now is the time to strengthen vital cooperation between our two nations.”
On Monday, Admiral Samuel J. Paparo Jr visited the headquarters of India’s Western Army Command along with the American envoy Sergio Gor. The delegation was briefed on the formation’s capabilities, its past operations, and future plans.
The American delegation also visited Bengaluru, where they met three start-ups, two in the space sector and one in defence, and participated in an Indo-US conference.
