Haryana to celebrate National Girl Child Day on Jan 21

 by Haryananewswire

CHANDIGARH, JAN 21

The Haryana Government has decided to celebrate National Girl Child Day on January 24 in a befitting manner at village, district and State level.

          While stating this here today, Director General Women and Child Development, Mrs Sumita Misra said that, therefore, a written communication has been sent to all Deputy Commissioners in the State to take necessary action for the celebrations.

          She said that at village level, all government schools, Gram Panchayats, Sakshar Mahila Samoohs (SMSs) and Village Level Committees (VLCs) would organize “Prabhat Pheris” by school children in every village. The children would carry suitable placards bearing slogans to generate awareness about gender equality, menace of female foeticide and regarding the importance of education of girls. The village community that is  Panchayat, SMS and VLC would also participate in these ‘Prabhat Pheris’. All the schools will also have a special assembly on National Girl Child Day in which Head Master , teachers and students could present special songs and skits on suitable topics .

She said that similarly, at district level  the function would be organized in which the Deputy Commissioner, Local Member Parliament or Minister would be the chief guest. The programme would highlight the challenges being faced by the girl child and also the developmental policies of the State and Central Governments for the girl child in particular and women in general.

She said that a rally of school children and youth would be flagged off at the district level with a suitable route drawn up by the district administration. Volunteers from Nehru Yuva Kendra, National Service Scheme, NCC and sports persons of the Sports and Youth Affairs Department would be involved in this rally so as to create a significant public impact. The district administration would also ensure   arrangements for providing refreshment to the participants of the rally.

          Mrs Misra said that a slogan writing competition might be organized in every district in association with the Education Department on the theme of “ The Importance of the Girl Child” in Hindi and English for students of classes VII to XII, in both boys’ and girls’ schools. The entries mighty be got judged by a jury comprising the District level Programme Officer  of the Women and Child Development Department or its representative, the District Education Officer or his representative and one or two language teachers from schools or colleges of the district. The top three entries would be given prizes of Rs. 1000, Rs 700 and 300  respectively and   distribution of the prizes would be a part of the district level function on Girl Child Day itself. The top three entries from each district will be sent to the head office where a jury will judge them for three prizes at the State level which would be Rs 5000, 3000  and 2000  respectively. These slogans would also form a useful component of information and education campaigns in future.

          She said that  the  department was already implementing a scheme in which Rs. 2,000 ,  Rs. 1500 and Rs. 1000 were being given  to girl students who stand first, second and third in their block in the matric exam conducted by Haryana School Education Board   in rural areas. These girl students would also be honored at the district level function. The funds for  this  purpose  have  already been allocated to District Level Programme Officers of Integrated Child Development Service Scheme  Cells.

She said that the Deputy Commissioners have also been asked to direct the line departments for making necessary arrangements for organizing the village level and district level functions for celebration of National Girl Child Day. The funds for organising functions concerning the National Girl Child Day  are being allocated. They have also been asked to send the report with photographs  to this department for forwarding the same to the Central Government by February 4.

          Mrs Misra said that the State level function  would   be held at Government College of Girls, Sector-14, Panchkula on January 24 at 2 p.m. Haryana Women and Child Development Minister, Mrs Geeta Bhukkal will be the Chief Guest and Principal Secretary of the Department, Mrs Dheera Khandelwal would preside over the function.