Way to go Narendrabhai

Educating the Girl Child : "Kanya Kelavani"
For any revolution, the spirit of revolt and readiness for change are essential and hence Modi’s emphasis on education, especially female education. Commitment, conviction and concern distinguish a statesman from a politician. Modi deposits each and every gift/souvenir received by him in the government treasury (toshakhana) for the cause of girl child education (kanya kelavani) a special fund Kanya Kelavani Nidhi has been created for this cause.

Within a span of 41 years, his 13 predecessors had deposited a meagre amount of Rs.4.55 lacs, whereas the present Chief Minister has deposited Rs.287.37 lacs in a period of 5 years. He has thus set a new trend of adding to the state exchequer, the trend that may prove to be a great challenge as well as inspiration for his successors to follow.

The dedication of a person of the stature of Chief Minister has influenced the society as a whole. Gradually people were touched by Modi’s commitment for the cause of female education and in public functions, instead of felicitating him by gifts or souvenirs, they have started donating cheques for Kanya Kelavani Nidhi. For this benevolent cause, they have voluntarily handed over more than Rs.11 crores to their beloved leader. This only vindicates the fact that when the intentions are noble and the commitment total, support flows from all directions.

Kanya Kelavani Nidhi has been created with a long term goal that no girl child in Gujarat remains illiterate; and the efforts have started yielding results. In 2006-07, the dropout rate of girl child has dwindled to 3.68 from 20.81 in 2000-01 (std 1 to 5) and to 11.64 from as high as 36.30 (std 1 to 7). The dwindling drop-out rates are equally supported by new enrolments through Kanya kelavani Rath Yatra (girl child enrolment drive), a unique initiative in Gujarat. Since 2003, every year in the month of June, the Chief Minister along with his team travels to remote villages to encourage parents to enrol their children in schools. It is a three day long statewide drive covering all the villages and the urban areas in scorching summer heat. An atmosphere of festivity and celebration is created. The young children now wait keenly to get themselves enrolled into schools.

Yet another initiative is Vidyalaxmi scheme, introduced during the last 5 years in villages where female literacy rate is lower than 35% and in the urban areas for the girls belonging to the below-poverty-line families. Vidyalaxmi bond of Rs. 1000/- is given to girl students who take admission to the 1st std and 8th std. The girl receives the amount of bond with interest on completion of std 7th and 10th respectively. This ensures higher retention rate.

Kanya kelavani is now a movement in Gujarat addressing the cause in totality. The initiative from the level of Chief Minister has moved the hearts of the society and state administration alike. The mood in Gujarat is to set new records; in the area of education in general and girl-child education in particular.