Regional consultations for the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme to be completed within this month

A strong system of incentives and advocacy will drive the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme of the Government says Smt Maneka Gandhi

The Union Minister of the Women and Child Development , Smt Maneka Sanjay Gandhi has said that the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao(BBBP) scheme of the Government will be based on a strong system of incentives and media advocacy to bring about an all-round change in attitudes. She was speaking after officially releasing the documentary film “After My Garden Grows”, directed by the famous Oscar –winning Director Miss Megan Mylan in New Delhi today (11.11.2014). The film is based in West Bengal and highlights the role of Sabla programme and Aanganwadis to empower the Indian girl child. The Minister said that the regional consultations with district collectors for BBBP have already begun with the first round having taken place recently in Chandigarh for 27 districts of North Indian states. Mrs Maneka Gandhi said that the districts will submit their multi-sectoral plans soon for which they will be given funds of upto Rs 1.00cr each. Remaining regional consultations are expected to be completed within this month, she added. 100 districts with low Child Sex Ratio have been identified for implementing the scheme. The Minister said that states like West Bengal and Punjab have developed good models for saving and empowering the girl child . Successful models developed by other states will also be studied for adoption by states which need to improve their child sex ratio. Smt. Maneka Gandhi said that Miss Megan’s latest film “After My Garden Grows” about empowering girls through education and financial independence. She further elaborated that the movie has touched upon extremely crucial issues like a strong functioning anganwadi system that forms a core part of the schemes of Union Ministry of Women & Child Development. Ms Mylan said that she has directed this film because she strongly feels towards the girl child of India and the various issues they face on a daily basis. Her movie “After My Garden Grows” is an earnest tribute to all the Indian women who have shown tremendous courage and confidence to earn respect and livelihood against all odds, she added. The documentary film tells the story of Monika Barman, a rural Indian teenager growing a small rooftop garden over her home, that is providing food to feed her family, and sowing the seeds of her own independence. Barman manages to delay marriage and return to school through the innovative girls gardening program. The entire cast of the film was present at today’s launch. Director Miss Megan Mylan earlier won the Oscar for her documentary film Smile Pinki, based out of India. Courtesy: pib.nic.in