J&K State Resource Centre for Women and Social Welfare Department today organized a cultural event to celebrate the National Girl Child Day. The programme was attended by Commissioner Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Hirdesh Kumar; Vice Chairperson Khadi Village Industry Board (KVIB), Dr Hina Shafi and women from different walks of life.The event featured songs, skits and a Nukkad Natak on the subject of spreading awareness in society about the rights of girls.In his address, Commissioner Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Hirdesh Kumar highlighted the importance of the Day and appealed the people to welcome daughter as they are like heavens. He further stressed spreading mass awareness about the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) campaign to change the mindset of people towards girls.He called for extending full support and more opportunity for girls to remove gender inequality in the society. Hirdesh Kumar appreciated the organizers for hosting the cultural event on the important day. He urged upon the officials of the department to make people familiar about the women centric schemes, Women Helpline Service (181), Mahila Shakti Kendra and One Stop Centre Scheme for women, through which they get facilities like legal aid, medical care, besides protection from discrimination, domestic violence, forced child marriage etc.While addressing the gathering, Chairperson Khadi Village Industry Board (KVIB), Dr Hina Shafi said that National Girl Child Day is celebrated every year on January 24 across the country. "Its objective is to provide maximum support and facilities to the girls of the country in every respect." she added that, another objective of National Girl Child Day is to raise awareness about discrimination against girls."It is believed that girls have been facing severe discrimination and violence in every aspect of life since ancient times, we should not lose hope, as they have a bright future in India" she said.