Mandya Hosts Vibrant National Girl Child Day Celebrations Under Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
The National Girl Child Day was observed with great enthusiasm and fervor in Mandya on Saturday, as part of the ongoing Beti Bachao Beti Padhao initiative. The event brought together various stakeholders to reaffirm their commitment to empowering and protecting the girl child in society.
Multi-Agency Collaboration for a Noble Cause
The programme was a collaborative effort organized jointly by several key institutions, including:
- The district administration of Mandya
- Zilla panchayat representatives
- District Legal Services Authority
- Department of Women and Child Development
- District Women Empowerment Cell
- Government Girls Pre-University College, Arkeshwara Nagar
This comprehensive partnership underscored the collective responsibility towards advancing the rights and opportunities for girls across the region.
Call for Fundamental Social Change
Speaking after inaugurating the event, Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer KR Nandini emphasized the urgent need for a fundamental transformation in societal attitudes. She asserted that genuine progress can only be realized when boys and girls receive equal treatment and opportunities in all spheres of life.
"The true spirit of National Girl Child Day lies in recognizing equality not just in rhetoric, but in our daily practices and behaviors," Nandini remarked, highlighting the gap between policy declarations and ground realities.
Children as National Assets
Addressing the gathering, Venkatesh, a member of the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, described children as the nation's most valuable asset. He particularly stressed the critical importance of safeguarding the rights, health, and overall well-being of the girl child.
Referring to the 2026 theme, Venkatesh noted the continued national focus on key areas including:
- Quality education for all girls
- Comprehensive healthcare access
- Gender equality in opportunities
- Empowerment through skill development
The vision of 'Empowering Girls for a Brighter Future' aims to ensure that every girl receives proper skill development training, adequate healthcare facilities, and a safe environment to thrive, he added, outlining the roadmap for meaningful change.
Combating Social Evils
Asha, the deputy director of the Department of Women and Child Development, highlighted the persistent challenges facing girl children in contemporary society. She stressed the urgent need to create widespread awareness against deep-rooted social evils that continue to plague communities.
"We must collectively work to eliminate practices like child marriage, female foeticide, and gender discrimination that hinder the progress of our daughters," Asha emphasized during her address, calling for community participation in these efforts.
The event served as a platform to reinforce the message that protecting and nurturing the girl child is not just a governmental responsibility but a societal imperative that requires active participation from every citizen.
