Bhiwani: Amid huge fanfare, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday launched ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ programme in Haryana, a key scheme that aims to address the dipping child sex ratio and empower the girl child in the country.
Addressing the event, PM Modi said, “As a society we all have a responsibility. We have to be aware.” Stressing on the importance of girls in the family and society, the PM said, “We do not have the right to kill the girl child.”
Urging people to change their mindset, PM Modi said, “The thought that only a son will take care of you during your old age is incorrect.” What we are pledging to do today won’t change things fast, it takes time for people’s mindset to change, PM Modi said.
Beta Beti Ek Samaan…this should be our Mantra, the PM added.
“People want educated daughters-in-law but think several times before educating their daughters. How can this go on,” the PM asked.
“If we don’t realise the crisis brought by female foeticide, our coming generations will face a major problem,” the PM said, while urging the countrymen to take a pledge to oppose female foeticide and other social evils practiced against girl child.
India’s PM is standing in front of you as a beggar. I have come here to beg for the life of the girl child, Modi said.
In a direct message to the doctors, PM Modi said, “To them, I say, society has made you a doctor to save lives, to get rid of pain, illness not to kill girl children.”
He also thanked Union Minister Maneka Gandhi, Haryana Chief Minister Manhor Lal Khattar and Bollywood diva Madhuri Dixit for being part of the massive programme that aims to improve the child sex ratio (CSR).
I am glad Maneka ji and her team selected Haryana. And I congratulate the CM to accept the challenge. The message is for entire India, the PM said.
Madhuri ji is here with. Her mother is unwell but she is in Panipat. She is here with a message to save the girl child, the PM said while referring to the Bollywood diva.
Evergreen Bollywood diva Madhuri Dixit has been roped in as the brand ambassador of the Modi government’s ambitious ‘Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao campaign’.
Ahead of the official launch of the ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ programme, the event was addressed by Union Minister Maneka Gandhi, Haryana Chief Minister Manhor Lal Khattar and Bollywood star Madhuri Dixit.
Khattar today inaugurated a state-level exhibition of ‘Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao’ programme ahead of the official launch of the National BBBP programme by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Chief Minster went around the exhibition and inquired about the schemes and programmes of various departments displayed at the exhibition.
He keenly watched the chart displayed by the Health Department depicting the sex ratio of the state.
Later on, officials of Women and Child Development Department pinned a badge of ‘Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao Programme’ on the Chief Minister.
Haryana Women and Child Development Minister Kavita Jain and senior officers were also present on the occasion.
Khattar, while presiding over a meeting of the district officers, had said yesterday the “declining sex ratio in Haryana and the country is a cause of concern and the programme would seek to correct the imbalance”.
According to the 2011 Census, the number of females per 1,000 males in Haryana in 2011 stands at 879.
Emphasising the need of having more educational institutes for girls in the district, Khattar announced that a government senior secondary school for girls in Bhiwani and government college for girls in Badhra town will be set up.
He directed the officers to discharge their duties honestly and work for the upliftment of the society.
Later, while addressing party workers, Khattar said an 11-member Vigilance Committee will be formed in each assembly area, which will keep an eye on the problems faced by the people and forward these to the government for solution.
