"Karnataka Launches Free Bus Rides for Women with Shakti Scheme"
Women in Karnataka were thrilled to ride buses for free on the first day of the Shakti scheme, which was launched by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Many women eagerly waited for their maiden free bus ride and carried their Aadhaar and other IDs, a mandatory requirement for the free bus rides. The bus conductors issued manual tickets with the Kannada words 'Mahileyarige Uchita' (free for women) stamped on them, and also accepted digital copies of government IDs. Some women chose to pay, especially those travelling short distances.