Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Dr Pawan Kotwal today inaugurated the systematic sensitization initiative “ Pahal: Ek Kadam Naari Samman Ki Aur”of the district administration under ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ campaign here today.The launch of “Pahal: Ek Kadam Naari Samman Ki Aur” initiative was organised in collaboration with Press Information Bureau (PIB), Union Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, under 3-Day Public Information Campaign to reach out maximum populace with an aim to spread the message of ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ and ‘Laadli Beti’ flagship programmes.On the occasion, Divisional Commissioner released the theme based ‘Jingle cum Caller Tune’ on Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign. Under the initiative the caller tune was activated on mobile phones of tehsil and district officers.A mass pledge on ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ was administered by Divisional Commissioner to the gathering comprising students, PRI’s representatives, Anganwadi and ASHA workers, officers, officials and locals.
While addressing the gathering, Dr Kotwal said that declining trend of female sex ratio is a matter of great concern which is required to be addressed. He said district Kathua which has adverse sex ratio requires contribution from every stakeholder to educate people so that the gap in gender sex ratio is improved.Dr Pawan Kotwal also highlighted the repercussions of the abuse of technology related to ultra-sonography which was primarily meant for check up and diagnosis during the prenatal period. He termed selective abortion as human blunder which has posed serious challenge to the present generation. He said it is high time to ensure implementation of the PC&PNDT Act in letter & spirit.He said ‘Beti Bacahao Beti Padhao’ and ‘Laadli beti’ schemes are demand driven schemes, benefits of which shall reach its target families.
Earlier, Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, Ramesh Kumar gave a detail account of ‘Pahal: Ek Kadam Naari Samman Ki Aur” initiative rolled out by district administration to help improve sex ratio in the district. He said several key measures have been adopted by involving departments viz Education, Social Welfare, ICDS, Panchayats, NYK, Sports, Information, Municipality, Rural Development, Transport, DRDA, DUDA, Bankers and Industries etc to work in tandem to disseminate the message.
DC Kathua in his address also presented district profile and disclosed that on 19th of every month ‘Laadli Diwas’ will be celebrated at village, panchayats, municipal areas of the district. Medical teams for free check up of girls and pregnant women shall be made available on ‘Laadli Diwas’, setting up of toll-free women health helpline will be launched soon in the district hospital, where a gynaecologist will be available from 10am to 12pm every Saturday and an ASHA worker from 10am to 4pm on other week days, selection of ‘Girl of the Month’ at panchayat level and ‘Girl of the Month’ at every ward will be a monthly affair under the Pahal initiative. Girl’s sports athletic meet at block and district level, sponsorship for poor girls for higher education/sports by corporate houses, mega awareness camps at tehsil level, adoption of gender critical villages are key attributes of the Pahal initiative. Besides, an award for best female performance in every field, girl of the month, signature campaign, baby shows, female skill development are other initiatives designed to meet the target of improved sex ratio.School children, artists of songs and Drama division, Dogri folk artists, Cultural Troupe of District Information Centre Kathua presented a scintillating programme on the theme of ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ and ‘Laadli Beti’ programmes which was applauded by jampacked audience. Earlier Divisional Commissioner Dr Pawan Kotwal inspected the stalls displayed by various government departments and banks. SSP Kathua Neeva Jain, ADDC Kathua Dr Manmohan Singh, AC UT Rahul Yadav, ACR, ACD, CEO and district officers were also present on the occasion.