Small savings, big impact: Gadag women fund school bags, raise ₹5 lakh

Gadag: In a gesture of quiet generosity, Gruhalaxmi beneficiaries in Kotabal village of Gadag district, who are also members of the school development monitoring committee (SDMC), have sponsored school bags for students using money from the Gruhalaxmi scheme. In another collective effort, beneficiaries from Kotabal and Kuratti villages have mobilised Rs 5 lakh to construct a shelter for the chariot of the village deity, drawing the attention of district education officers and the public in the region.

Renuka Awari, Rekha Kodikoppad, Huligevva Patil, Manjula Chandargi, Nagaratna Chavadi, Girija Gadad, Yashoda Sandimani, Vijayalaxmi Vastrad, Manjula Madar and Suvarna Patil, SDMC members of the school, told TOI that since Gruhalaxmi money is from the govt, they decided to spend a part of it for govt school students. “It’s our bit to save govt schools which are in pathetic condition in the state. We hope that our small contribution will attract more students to the govt school in our village,” they added.

RS Buradi, deputy director of school education, Gadag, said the women’s contribution is a pride and a role model for society. “Apart from sending their children to the school, they distributed bags to 50 needy students,” he added.

Saroja Nellur said that, inspired by Adavisiddeshwar Swami, many women from Kotabal and neighbouring Kurattai village contributed part of their Gruhalaxmi amount for the construction of the chariot shelter. “Swamiji suggested all women contribute, and many women offered donations of their convenience from Rs 1,000 to 10,000, and we could mobilise Rs 5 lakh. Now, the construction of the chariot shelter will start after this rainy season,” she said.

Ron MLA GS Patil said women of Kotabal have emerged as role models by spending a part of Gruhalaxmi money for society. “We thank former CM Siddaramaiah and current CM DK Shivakumar for implementing such schemes in the interest of poor and rural people,” he added.