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Credit to PM for rise in girl child ratio: Maneka Gandhi
Jhunjhunu (Rajasthan) March 8 (IANS) Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi on Thursday said it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiative which led to the improvement of girl child ratio in the country.
“In 2014, the Prime Minister had called my Ministry (WCD) and expressed his concern over the prevailing situation of women in the country.
“There were many states and districts which were suffering from low child sex ratio. The Prime Minister had then asked us to select those districts which have the worst CSR and work at improving their status,” Gandhi said while addressing an event here.
The Minister was speaking on the occasion of International Women’s Day which was also attended by Modi to launch the pan expansion of his flagship programme “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” scheme in 640 districts.
The 2011 census had shown significant declining trend in the child sex ratio (CSR), with 918 girls per 1,000 boys in the age group of 0-6 years. The CSR had declined from 976 in 1961 to 918 in 2011.
Out of the 640 districts, CSR had declined in 429 districts while 244 districts were below the national average of 918.
“It was not an easy task. For achieving the target we had to change the approach and perception of people. We started off work with the District Magistrates and Collectors and got the people in the area involved,” she added.
The scheme which is a tri-ministerial, convergent effort of Ministries of Women and Child Development, Health and Family Welfare and Human Resource Development was initially launched in selected 161 districts which were low on CSR.
“We had to keep a check on the hospitals and nursing institutes over illegal ultra-sonography. The ratio started improving simultaneously. Within three years, these districts have shown remarkable improvement and the ratio is now more than 900,” the minister said.
In Phase-1 (2014-15), the scheme was started with 100 districts and got expanded to 61 additional districts in Phase-II (2015-16).
“The scheme has been received well and has been successful in establishing the improvement in Child Sex Ratio as a national agenda. It has resulted in increased awareness, sensitisation and conscious building around the issue of declining CSR in the public domain,” the WCD ministry said in a statement.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.