R-Day: Girls unfurl flags in schools in Haryana villages

CHANDIGARH: Girls with highest educational qualification were on Tuesday accorded the honour of unfurling the national flag at Republic Day programme in schools in the villages across Haryana.
The Haryana government, with an aim to give impetus to the ambitious 'Beti Bachao-Beti Padhaao' programme, had decided that the girls with highest educational qualification in villages across the state will unfurl the tricolour at school- level programmes to be held in their respective villages on the occasion of Republic Day, an official spokesperson said.
Besides, all girls, in villages and wards, who were born between January 22, 2015 and January 22, 2016 were also invited to attend Republic Day function under 'Mera Pehla Gantantra Utsav' (My First Republic Day) programme, today, he said.
The mothers of these infant girls were allotted seats in the front row as the Republic Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm, he added.
Also, the girls who had secured top positions in class 10 and 12, graduation and post-graduation examinations during the academic session 2014-15, besides other higher examinations, were also felicitated on the occasion.
Haryana is infamous for its skewed sex ratio.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on January 22 last year launched the 'Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao' programme, a nationwide scheme aimed to address the dipping child sex ratio and empower girl child in the country, from Panipat in Haryana.
The prime objective of the programme is to bring change in people's mindset towards girl child on or after her birth.
Preventing determination of sex, female foeticide, ensuring safety of girls, their best possible care and providing quality education are integral part of this programme.
In Haryana, the programme is being implemented in 12 districts namely Mahendergarh, Jhajjar, Sonipat, Rewari, Ambala, Kurukshetra, Rohtak, Karnal, Yamunanagar, Kaithal, Bhiwani and Panipat which have the lower girl child sex ratio.