In this Haryana town, parents flaunt daughters' nameplates on houses

A region in Jat dominated Haryana is breaking the stereotype with several families voluntarily putting names of their daughters on nameplates outside their houses. The small, albeit impactful message behind the move, has got more and more families in Jind district of Haryana to join the initiative aimed beyond just the symbolism of empowering the girl child.

The initiative is being spearheaded under the banner of “Lado Swabhiman Utsav” (Daughter pride festival) wherein several such initiatives will be undertaken to make girls and daughters feel special.

Interestingly, the drive launched a few days ago is also finding many takers in rural areas where shackles of ill-conceived patriarchal supremacy have long dominated the narrative.

Former Sarpanch of village Bibipur in the district, Sunil Jaglan, who’s ‘selfie with-daughter’ programme invited even the applause of PM Modi during one of his Maan Ki Baat events, says the campaign has so far found over 115 takers. “We are now flooded with phone calls from families who are wanted to know more and join the initiative. They now want their house to be named with the name of their daughter. We are getting a very good response from rural households as well. Nearly three dozen villagers have volunteered to be a part of the initiative,” Sunil Jaglan said talking to Deccan Herald today.

Jind’s Attre family were the early ones to take the lead. Interestingly, all four generations of the family, including the great grandfather, have been residing in the house together. A few days ago, the family proudly displayed the name of their daughter, Monika, at the house entrance on the nameplate. Monika has an elder brother, but the family says they were never in two minds on who should figure on the nameplate with pride. Nonagenarian senior-most Attre says he is happy in the happiness of his family.

Sunil Jaglan says initially at many places it was hard to convince families. “Many families we came across were stuck with stereotype, some vehemently opposed it. But things started to fall in place with many families deciding to take the first plunge. This inspired others to follow suit. We hope this small gesture comes up as a big message to give girls the place they deserve,” he said.