The Karnataka government will soon issue orders to conduct mass Seemanta (baby shower) ceremonies in every district by March next year, announced Women and Child Development Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar.
Addressing a gathering of 3,000 pregnant women during a mass Seemanta event held at CP.Ed Grounds in Belagavi on Monday (March 24) as part of International Women’s Day celebrations, Hebbalkar said the initiative aims to support and celebrate motherhood while upholding cultural traditions.
“Motherhood is the highest virtue. Since ancient times, mothers have been regarded as the first teachers. The Seemanta ritual marks the beginning of a child’s journey and plays a crucial role in shaping society and the nation,” she said.
She emphasized that the Siddaramaiah-led government has rolled out five major guarantee schemes aimed at empowering women and added that the department is taking further steps to uplift women across Karnataka.
Hebbalkar also highlighted her efforts to modernize the Women and Child Development Department. “We have introduced high-tech improvements in Anganwadis and started government-run Montessori classes. Organizing mass Seemanta events is another step in that direction,” she said.
Recalling a story from the Mahabharata, she spoke about how Lord Krishna narrated the Chakravyuha strategy to Subhadra when she was pregnant. Though she dozed off, the unborn Abhimanyu retained the knowledge. “This shows that even a child in the womb responds to external influences. Pregnant women must be surrounded by positive sights and sounds,” she noted.
The minister concluded by reiterating that every child must grow into a responsible citizen, and traditions like Seemanta play a role in nurturing future generations.
