CM Mr Chouhan shows conviction for saving daughters

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CM Mr Chouhan shows conviction for saving daughters

By Muslim Saleem

Bhopal, October 6, 2011

Before Chief Minister Mr Shivraj Singh Chouhan, no Chief  Minister or even Prime Minister had thought of launching a mass movement for saving daughters. Concerned by declining ratio of girls and pained by unjust and cruel attitude towards womenfolk, the Chief Minister launched Beti Bachao Abhiyan in the state with main function held at the CM House, which was a mega event. Through it, Mr Chouhan has proved how power and administration can be effectively used for bringing about positive change in society and that is committed to ensuring women's empowerment and is leaving no stone unturned in this connection, reports SMS News & Features.

At the function held on October 5, 2011, Mr Shivraj Singh Chouhan asserted that full protection and honour will be provided to girls and women in the state by strictly implementing all the relevant laws enacted for their protection. He said that 'Beti Bachao Abhiyan', which has been launched for ensuring daughters' protection, honour and empowerment, will meet with desired success only through participation of all the political parties, organisations, institutions and all sections of society. This is not a political programme, but a social mission.

The Chief Minister said that a three-pronged approach has been adopted  for daughters' protection and all round upbringing – increase in awareness, motivation and punishment. Various programmes are being organised in the state for increasing awareness. He will himself undertake Jan-Jagriti Yatra from Datia to Sewrha from October 10. He said that a separate programme related to Beti Bachao Abhiyan will be held wherever he will go in the state. He appealed to heads of all religions to express views about importance of daughters in their sermons with a view to bringing about a positive change in people's mindset. He also desired active participation in Beti Bachao Abhiyan from office-bearers and members of student unions. Several motivational schemes are also being considered. One of such schemes is being finalised under which those persons, who have only daughters, will be given pension at 60 years of age. Under punitive action, laws enacted for protection of girls and women will be strictly implemented.

The Chief Minister said that he got inspiration to launch this campaign after observing negative attitude in families and soceity towards daughters. He said that he has witnessed disriminatory behaviour towards duaghters in families right since his childhood and had been deeply pained by it. He said that when he became MLA, he started arranging marriages of girls of poor families. The programme continued when he became an MP. After becoming Chief Minister, he institutionalised girls' marriage and it was started to be held officially. He said that Ladli Laxmi Yojna is also an important step in the same direction. The goernment is extending all facilities with a view to helping girls to move forward. Despite it, sex ratio is a matter of concern, espcially in the urban areas and among educated families.

Mr Chouhan said that not only a positive thinking prevailed in the ancient Indian society towards daughters and women, but they had also commanded full respect and all the opportunities for progress were available to them. A negative thinking about them developed later in society. However, it is never too late to mend and people should rectify their mistake and do full justice with girls and women. He said that no injustice against daughters will be allowed in the state. Mr Chouhan said that a convention of non-government organisations will soon be convened with a view to roping in their cooperating in Beti Bachao Abhiyan.

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