March 08, 2018: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today called upon state governments to make Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao a mass movement and a social mission. He was speaking after inaugurating the all-India expansion of the flagship programme in Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan on International Women’s Day.
Mr Modi said, mistakes committed by generations against the girl child has resulted in a kind of imbalance in society, and this needs to be corrected by new generations. He said, female foeticide was a matter of deep shame and Mothers-in-law should take the lead to protect the girl child. Mr Modi also encouraged people to take up the task of protecting the girl child and treating them equally.
The Prime Minister said, it is painful that requests have to be made for protecting daughters and the girl child. He said, girls are bringing pride and glory for our nation. The ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ programme was launched two years ago from Haryana. Mr Modi said, the situation of the girl child was alarming in Haryana but now significant improvement has been noticed under the programme.
Before his address, the Prime Minister gave awards to Collectors of various districts for their performance under the ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ programme. The prime minister also interacted with beneficiary mothers and their children.
‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ is a social campaign of the Centre that aims to generate awareness and improve the efficiency of welfare services intended for girls. The scheme has been expanded from the present 161 districts to 640 all over the country.
Union Minister for Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi said the Centre had taken several initiatives for the welfare of women. She said, a historic Bill would be introduced in Parliament to check trafficking of women and children. Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje highlighted the state government’s schemes and programmes, including the Rajshree Yojna for girls.
The Prime Minister also launched the National Nutrition Mission (NNM) and NNM- ICDS Common Application Software. The mission strives to reduce under-nutrition and low birth weight, bring down anaemia among young children, women and adolescent girls and to reduce the prevalence of stunting among children.
Later addressing a public meeting, Mr Modi said, resolution by every family towards equal opportunity will become the base of the success of Beti Bacho- Beti Padhao Scheme. He said, there was a need to transform the lives of women and harness women power to create a New India. Terming ‘PM’ as ‘Poshan Mission’, he said that Government is going to create an ecosystem to fight against malnutrition problem. Prime Minister said, more than 9000 Crore rupees will be spent for this mission.
