New Delhi: Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, and Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt. Annapurna Devi, jointly inaugurated the 10th anniversary celebration of the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, today. Union Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Smt. Savitri Thakur, was also present.
The event marked a decade of sustained efforts to protect, educate, and empower the girl child under the flagship program launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on January 22, 2015, in Panipat, Haryana.
Key Highlights
Shri J.P. Nadda’s Address
In his speech, Shri Nadda reflected on the scheme’s objectives and its achievements over the past ten years. He highlighted that BBBP represents a collaborative effort of multiple ministries to address declining child sex ratios, prevent female foeticide, and promote gender equality through education and empowerment.
“The success of the scheme lies in its whole-of-government approach,” Shri Nadda said. He stressed that convergence among ministries has been critical to the effective implementation of the program.
Shri Nadda also outlined the contributions of the Health Ministry, which include:
- Conducting awareness campaigns on the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC&PNDT) Act.
- Providing ante-natal care, vaccinations, and nutritional support for pregnant women and children.
- Improving maternal and child health indicators, including a reduction in maternal mortality rate (from 130 to 97 deaths per 100,000 live births) and infant mortality rate (from 39 to 28 deaths per 1,000 live births).
Empowerment and Vision for the Future
Shri Nadda called on women and girls to become ambassadors of change, urging them to challenge gender discrimination and ensure their voices are heard. He highlighted complementary government schemes, such as Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, Ujjwala Yojana, and Startup India, which aim to empower women holistically.
Smt. Annapurna Devi’s Remarks
Smt. Annapurna Devi emphasized that BBBP is more than a scheme; it is a movement aimed at transforming societal mindsets and behavior towards girls. “This initiative is a step toward building a developed India (Viksit Bharat) under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi,” she said.
She also lauded initiatives such as Mission Vatsalya, Poshan Abhiyan, and Mission Shakti for furthering the cause of women’s empowerment and child welfare.
Launch of New Initiatives
During the event, several new initiatives were introduced, including:
- Compendium of BBBP Best Practices.
- Mission Vatsalya and Mission Shakti Portals.
- Mission Shakti Mobile App.
An oath-taking ceremony was also conducted, pledging to uphold the rights and empowerment of girls.
Participation and Representation
The celebration witnessed participation from various stakeholders, including:
- Women officers from the armed forces, paramilitary, Delhi Police, and Central Ministries.
- Anganwadi workers, supervisors, and girl students from across the country.
- Representatives from state and district-level administrations.
Senior government officials were also present to commemorate the milestone event.
The 10th anniversary celebration underscored the government’s commitment to ensuring the welfare and empowerment of the girl child, with a vision for continued progress in the years ahead.
