As the nation commemorates 11 years since the inception of the ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ program, it is revealed that the groundwork for this initiative was laid in Gujarat. The program, aimed at enhancing the education and empowerment of girls, was first implemented in Gujarat before becoming a nationwide movement.
Gujarat saw a significant transformation in female literacy and school enrollment due to focused campaigns like ‘Kanya Kelavani’ and ‘Shala Praveshotsav’. These efforts were instrumental in bringing girls into the formal education system and improving overall retention rates in schools.
During his tenure as Chief Minister of Gujarat, Narendra Modi personally visited numerous villages annually to ensure the enrollment of every girl child in school. He interacted with parents, encouraging them to prioritize their daughters’ education for the betterment of their families and society.
The ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ initiative, which began as a community celebration in Gujarat, has now evolved into a national movement promoting girls’ education and empowerment. The Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY), a key component of this campaign, has garnered widespread acceptance, with over 4.53 crore accounts opened since its launch in 2015.
The SSY, offering an interest rate of 8.2% per annum, serves as a secure government-backed savings scheme exclusively for girls. It emphasizes early financial planning for girls’ education and well-being, reflecting a growing belief in the potential of the girl child and her role in societal transformation.
