Karnataka: Minister of Women and Child Development talks about having been involved in child marriage

Despite efforts from the government and various other organisations, the evil of child marriage persists in many regions of Karnataka. Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Belagavi Rural and an upcoming leader of the Indian National Congress (INC) Lakshmi Hebbalkar revealed about having been involved in a child marriage during her younger days. 

She talked about this in a seminar held in the Jnana Yogashrama in Vijayapura. She stated that when she was in class 10, her marriage was finalised. This implies that she was 16-years-old. “My family was indulged in farming. I had four other sisters. We were all good looking. Our father got us married at a young age. This restricted opportunities for education. But the learnings we imbibed from our mothers and grandmothers gave us the confidence needed for public roles,” she said. 

She further stated that culture and humanity has been sustained globally on account of women. She also highlighted the progress the nation has made from a time women were restricted to bearing children and preparing food. 

She instilled confidence in women by stating that they can achieve anything they set their minds on. Her own political growth is a testament to this fact.