January 24th of every year calls out to the future support system of the Nation – the Girl Child. But the support system is being trodden upon come every year and although we are progressing, it is not rapid enough. On the one hand she is our role model and aspiration, but on the other she is also a burden and the victim to many a crime. On the one hand we have our P.V. Sindhus and Sakshi Malliks and Chanda Kochhars, and on the other hand we have almost 2,000 female foetuses being aborted every day!
But here’s to hoping that 2017 will be start of a new age! So let’s look at what does the day look like for a future that awaits.
The felicitation of the Girl Child already started from yesterday with the National Bravery Awards being given out to 25 children across the country who showed immense courage in the face of difficult situations. One child stood out particularly as she rescued two others from a flash flood, sacrificing her life in the pursuit. Payal Devi, from Jammu and Kashmir, studying in class VIII of Government Middle School in Ramban, is the only child from Jammu and Kashmir to be awarded posthumously. Payal lost her life while trying to save the life of her 6 year old niece, Shivali and a 14 year old boy Rakesh Kumar on seeing them being washed away in the turbulent Ladhwal nullah near her house following a cloud burst on May 12, 2016.
Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi and Minister of State Krishna Raj will also be addressing the audience at New Delhi at a special function to observe the day and what it holds. The occasion shall be marked by release of National Plan of Action for Children 2016. Apart from this, ten districts under the ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao‘ scheme for their exemplary performance will also be felicitated.
The Prime minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi also came forward and tweeted about the importance of Girl Child.
National Girl Child Day is a day to celebrate the exceptional achievements of the girl child, whose excellence in many fields makes us proud
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 24, 2017
It is imperative to reject discrimination against the girl child and ensure equal opportunities for the girl child.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 24, 2017
Let us reaffirm our commitment to challenging stereotypes based on gender & promote gender sensitisation as well as gender equality.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 24, 2017
Hopefully 2017 will be a beginning of the reclaiming of the respect that a girl child should hold in each of our lives.
