Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (PH)
Udupi, Oct 12: National Girl Child Day with theme ‘Women empowerment for the better future’ was celebrated in Shri Seva Nikethan, Udupi on Friday, October 11. The programme was organised by Government of Karnataka, Department of Women and Child Development in association with Child Helpline 1098, Rotary Club and District Session Court, Udupi.
The programme was inaugurated by G Jagadeesha, district commissioner of Udupi. In his inaugural address, he stressed that the girl child must not be discriminated on basis of gender. “Even when academic results are declared, more focus is given on the results obtained by a girl. Girl education plays a vital role in society development,” the DC said.
“Today, it is reported that many girl children lack nutrition. Government is providing all the facilities but these do not reach children. In the coming days, an inspection will be held to ensure facilities reach children in time,” he added.
The DC gave example of his 2 daughters whose names start with alphabet A so that even when attendance in school is called out, they come first. He said that he always wanted women to be in the mainstream of the society and top in all the fields.
The DC said that child marriages still take place in Kolar district and he witnessed one such marriage and was able to stop the same in time. He warned people who are opting for child marriages and also the people participating in such events and said severe action will be taken against all those who conduct and attend the wedding.
The DC also gave an example where teachers were not present in the school in Kolar. He said that strict action will be taken against the teachers if found that they are not regular to work. In Kolar while conducting a school inspection, he witnessed students of class 5 were not able to recognize or read Kannada letters. He ordered teachers that during his next inspection on March 31, the students must be able to read the letters or else their jobs will not be secured. He had found improvement in students during his next inspection. He said that no such incident is taking place in Udupi district but he will be going on an inspection with his team to schools in coming days to check if quality education is provided to the students. He said that more girls should be educated and wished more women officers to serve for the country and people.
The DC said that a world without a girl child cannot be imagined. But people even today are opting female feticide and many cases were witnessed in Kolar. “I hope educated people from Udupi are not indulging in such activities. Female ratio is very less compared to male ratios in some places mainly because of female feticide. Strict action will be taken by the District Administration against the doctors and also the parents undergoing female feticide. Special investigation team will be formed to check that such activity doesn’t take place in Udupi district,” he said.
Janardhan Bhatt, president of Rotary Club, Udupi welcomed the guests and the gathering. Kaveri Lele, senior civil advocate and secretary of district session court, Ronald B Furtado, president of child development department, Gracy Gonsalves, vice-director of department of women and child development and Shilpa Joshy from MAHE Manipal were the main guests of the programme. Ramachandra Upadhyaya, director of Child Helpline Udupi presided over the programme.