SPEECH OF HON'BLE GOVERNOR PUNJAB AND ADMINISTRATOR, UT CHANDIGARH, SHRI BANWARILAL PUROHIT ON THE OCCASION OF AWARD CEREMONY UNDER THE AEGIS OF 'GIRL'S INDIA PROJECT' AT TAGORE THEATRE, SECTOR 18, CHANDIGARH ON 25.02.2022

Officers of the Chandigarh Administration and Education Department,

Chairperson Chandigarh Commission for Protection of Child Rights,

Members of the Commission,

Principals and teachers from various schools,

And Dear students,

My heartiest greetings to one and all on the successful conclusion of the GIRLS INDIA PROJECT, which has been a collaborative effort of Chandigarh Commission for Protection of Child Rights and the Education Department of the City.

I have been apprised of the tremendous qualitative work done by the Commission. It is heartwarming to know that as a regular annual feature, the Commission has been involving girls to be selected as brand ambassadors. This year as I have been told, 44 girls have been made Brand Ambassadors. Another unique feature added this year is that one Ambassador of the last year has been selected to be the mentor for the new Brand Ambassadors…..this I guess will keep the fire ignited and the baton will be passed to the next generations.

Friends,

In order to bring about a change and alleviate the social malady of discrimination against the girls and the women in the society, empowering girls is a must.

Have you ever seen a bird soaring high up in the sky with one wing?

No…because to scale heights both the wings need to work in tandem.

Same is the case with our society. Both boys and girls have to be equally empowered to steer the Nation to greater heights. Empowerment of our girls or women, is the fundamental component to transform into a progressive society marching towards making India the Vishav-Guru.

Since Independence, our country has overcome many problems through the combined efforts of the Central and State Governments, private sector, and the non government organizations. Infant mortality rate has declined, Life expectancy has grown up and the literacy rate has improved considerably, along with many other achievements.

However, there is great imbalance across the country in the area of children’s education and welfare. We have States like Kerala, where nearly all the children in the age group of six to fourteen years are attending schools. This contrasts starkly with the poor performance in several other States in the north and the east.

I am talking about education because it is one of the most important means of empowering girls with the knowledge, skills and self-confidence necessary to participate fully in the development process.

I have been told that for the past three consecutive years, the Chandigarh Child Rights Commission has been calling for Best Educational Practices from all the schools of UT Chandigarh, to be emulated by other schools.

And to promote the Digital India Mission, six digital libraries have been set up. They have been set up in the periphery areas of schools, where digitalization is of utmost requirement. This enterprise would genuinely benefit hundreds of students of Govt. Schools to enhance their acumen of knowledge, especially in the changing tech-friendly world. I have also been told that the Commission is coming up with the seventh Digital Library to be set up in Manimajra. All the best for the same!

During the pandemic, more than 45 thousand students participated through the digital devices in various online competitions. It is indeed elating that the Commission is taking all the schools of UT in its stride, to live up to the dream of Digital Chandigarh and Digital India.

Another initiative by the Commission which I believe is worth appreciation is the Revival of Traditional Games. The setting-up of traditional toys corners in schools under the tagline VOCAL FOR LOCAL will definitely be a source of liaison between the young generation and the basic roots of our culture.

Efforts are afoot to make children aware of their rights and duties with the slogan LEAVING NO ONE BEHIND. Each such step towards making Chandigarh a child friendly city is possible only by the conviction, perseverance and vision of all the stakeholders.

As Shri Vinoba Bhava used to say, A-sarkari (अ-सरकारी), asarkari(असर-कारी) hota hai which means, non-Governmental work is effective work. I would only add that when सरकारी and अ-सरकारी efforts are combined, they become असर-कारी in real sense. So, let us adopt a holistic approach, combine our efforts and watch the Girls of our Country grow into independent, successful and happy women, like many seated with us today.

I have full faith in the idea of working together and to weave beautiful success stories. I am sure that Commission for Protection of Child Rights and the Education Department coupled with NGOs and the enlightened citizens will further uplift the robust intellectual heritage of the city, aiming towards a completely Child friendly place where the young generations can bloom and carve for themselves a great future.

My congratulations to all the participants of the 'Girls India Project, who will be known as the 'Girl Parliamentarians’ and to all the award winners.

Let us all pledge to create a New India, where every girl child is endowed with life, liberty, education and all assistance to enable her to flower into an independent, well endowed and patriotic citizen of India.

Once again, my Greetings to you all.

Thank you,

Jai Hind.