PM Narendra Modi on 22nd January 2015 launched the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Yojana. It was started for the aim to generate awareness among the people about importance of girls in the society and to improve their situation. It’s been more than two years and many people have made their contributions after getting inspired from PM Modi.
“We are inspired by Modiji’s slogan of Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao,” says Dr Nandan Singh, a Medical Superintendent of Community Health Centre in Agra. This kind-hearted doctor has a special place for daughters in his heart. This is said as he makes every daughter’s birthday a celebration. In his career, he has helped in 1,000 baby deliveries.
The orthodox mentality of raising more male child to carry forward the family is being left behind. Now people believe in giving birth and raising female child as now they know that giving birth to a girl child is much more than just dowry and marriage.
He told that earlier his clinic and other clinics in the Khiranwali, which is 25kms from Agra district headquarters, planned to open a bank account for every girl born in the clinics with additional Rs 100 deposit every month. They asked the parents to do the same. But soon the practice dissolved.
“I only have a 13-year-old son, and every time I hand over a girl child I humbly request them that if “you do not want to bring her up, please give her back to me. About two years ago, I requested everyone to donate at will for the education of girls. We collect the money and after finding a suitable girl, make all arrangements [for her education]”, he said.
Another effect of the Save The Daughter, Educate The Daughter was seen earlier in the month of May when a Surat based person gifted Rs 200 crore worth bonds to 10,000 girls of the Patidar community.
According to The Census data of 2011, the number of girls for every 1000 boys as Child Sex Ratio (CSR) from age 0-6 declined to 918 in 2011 from 976 in 1961.
It’s not just doctors or businessmen who are willing to do something for girl child. But it’s even the mothers in Khandawali district of Haryana who want their girls to stand on their own feet. Saira, a mother, is totally against killing of a girl child in the womb and motivates other mothers to educate the girl child. Her daughter Rabiya not just got education till 10th standard but was also supported in becoming a teacher. The Khandawali has the CSR of 1200 girl child over 1000 male child. This whole area in Haryana allows the girls to study well and respects them as wel.
Draupadi – Ek Awaz Kala Manch has produced a film ‘Meri Bitiya’ which is based on the message that both son and daughter are equal in this era and no difference should be made in between them. The film was launched on social networking sites in 30th June 2017. It says, ‘save a girl child and educate them, this awareness will be spread by my daughters.’
Even the Government of Haryana has taken steps in favor of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao as it has decided to give a 45 days maternity leave to married girl students in state universities and colleges. Students can avail this by taking permission of the chairperson of the department concerned and also have to submit a medical certificate. This step is taken to encourage young women to compete their education even after getting married.
Students are also given the liberty to drop out a whole semester. But in return, the students have to meet the attendance criteria and also have to appear in the drop-out semester exams.
The Government of India came up with a positive step in social transformation and the general public is now implementing it. This is what democracy is. Though, many states in the country are still going through bad Child Sex Ratio, but thanks to the citizens of India who are willing to take steps in the betterment of the society.
