Living in 21st century, we have made several notable advances in technology. While there is progress on various fronts, there are areas such as human rights and social issues in which we are still struggling. Gender discrimination raises its ugly head in our society every now and then.
During last many decades, the issues of girl child and women empowerment have become part of various debates and discussion; they have even become part of election agenda in many places.
Therefore, when the Madhya Pradesh Government launched its ambitious `Ladli Laxmi Yojna’, aiming for the empowerment of girls, it was hailed as a revolutionary new step. Under this scheme, the state government became direct contributor in raising a girl by financially supporting the family in her various stages like studies and the marriage. Later, many other states adopted this initiative or with some modifications. One of the most celebrated central government’s schemes, the ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ initiative also took various inputs from `Ladli Laxmi Yojna’.
When Shivraj Singh Chauhan, the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, launched the `Ladli Laxmi Yojna’ in his state in 2007, it earned him unofficial title of `mama’ (maternal uncle). But the man behind the scheme, who conceptualised it helped immensely in its implementation in MP, was the 2001 batch IAS officer Mr Parikipandla Narahari.
Currently, posted as Commissioner of Technical education department Mr. Narahari talked about this famous scheme in his book ‘The Making of Ladli Laxmi Yojna’. This has been one of the most talked about books of our times.
Mr Narahari then came up with his other book titled ‘Betiyaan’ (daughters) in November last year. In conversation with ‘Indian Masterminds’, Mr. Narahari talked about this book
`Betiyaan’ Acknowledges the Government Efforts
Talking about `Betiyaan’, Mr. Narahari said, “After Ladli Laxmi Yojna was introduced in our state and became a huge success, many state got inspired from this. Around 16 states
develop this scheme. Not only in our country, some South-Asian countries also introduces similar programs to secure the future of the girl children. I take immense pride in saying that more than 30 lakhs girls benefitted from this or you can say they came into this world because of this scheme. And, `Betiyaan’ is not a book but a gesture to the efforts of our central and state governments. This book talks about all the schemes and programs inspired by Ladli Laxmi Yojna, as also by some other initiatives on similar lines.”
The main idea behind `Betiyaan’ is to keep all important schemes and laws in the form of a book so that it will be easily accessible to interested people in a comprehensive format. The book has a dedicated section for the schemes launched by central government and definitely `Beti Bachao Beti Padao’, which has become flag bearer for movement of securing future of girl children, needs special attention. It also has separate chapters about various departments like Women & Child affairs etc and their various programmes for the future and empowerment of girls. The second and third part of the book deals with health-related schemes and all recent & important developments in the field of social justice for girls.
It has impacted the mindset of people
When asked if these schemes have helped in changing the mindset of people, Mr Narahari said “The gender discrimination on societal level does exist. It becomes the responsibility of our governments to support the girl children in every possible way and destroy the social stigma attached with them. Having said that, it is not a one day’s job. These changes will take time for fruition, and till then the government should come forward and extend their hands in upbringing them, both financially or socially. One can’t deny that these small steps have actually impacted the thought process of many people. Now most of them don’t see their girl child as a burden. The rate of female foeticide has also dropped”.
Mr. Narahari also said that we are working for the day when Indian society won’t need these schemes to safeguard our females. The families won’t give second thought to welcome them in this world, and crimes such as sex determination or female foeticide will cease to exist, he added.
