Bike rally, pledge, signature campaign mark 10th BBBP in Ukhrul
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang

Ukhrul, January 22 2025: Various activities including a bike rally, pledge administration and a signature campaign marked the commemoration of the 10th year of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme during a celebration held at Ukhrul district headquarters here on Wednesday.

The celebration commenced with Ukhrul ADM Kajaigai Gangmei flagging off a bike rally at the Mini-secretariat campus in the presence of CDPO K Surjalata Shimray, OST centre administrator Chonchuirinmayo Luithui and representatives from different departments.

The rally participated by members of Hao Riders covered Dungrei Junction and Awontang and returned to the starting point.

Bike rally, pledge, signature campaign mark 10th BBBP in Ukhrul

Speaking during a function held later at DRDA Hall, ADM Kajaigai Gangmei noted that the overall situation for girl children in India is concerning, as many households still do not welcome girls and gender discrimination remains widespread.

He, however, pointed out that Manipur's context is relatively more positive, highlighting Ukhrul district as an example where women hold various key positions, including that of district administrator.

ADM Gangmei further observed that girl students are performing significantly better than their male counterparts.

He also administered the BBBP pledge with the participants vowing support for empowerment of girls and women in the district.

In her keynote address, Chonchuirinmayo Luithui recalled the launch of the BBBP scheme by PM Modi in Panipat Haryana on this day 10 years ago.

She said that the scheme was a response to the declining Child Sex Ratio and the alarming gender imbalance, adding that it has become a national movement to prevent gender biased sex-selective elimination and to promote the survival, protection and education of the girl child.

"Today, marks ten years of 'relentless efforts to protect, educate and empower the girl child in India' aligning with India's vision of Vikshit Bharat, i.e., Developed India by 2047 .

We as a community can only develop if the women and girls are empowered to enjoy the same opportunities and rights as men and boys," she remarked, adding that a nation cannot move forward leaving behind almost half of its population.

Reflecting on Ukhrul district, she revealed that in 2024, there were seven reported cases of girl child sexual abuses within a span of 6 months in the district with the youngest victim as young as 4 years old.

This was something that was unheard of in the past, she said, expressing concern over the situation of children and not just the girls.

She also noted with concern the exponential increase in the number of children who are into substance abuse in spite of interventions after interventions from the government as well as non-government agencies.

She then highlighted the role played by Tangkhul women in their community as caregivers, nurturers, earners and so on, calling them as the backbone of the local economy.

Referring to the traditional Chumsin Phanit (festival marking handing over of granary) which celebrates the handing over of responsibility to a newly married woman by her mother-in-law, she said that it is the only festival in the district that celebrates womanhood for her responsibility.

The BBBP scheme is now integrated with Mission Shakti - a comprehensive programme for women's safety and empowerment, for implementation during the 15th Finance Commission period from 2021-2022 to 2025-2026, expanding its scope through collaborations between multiple ministries including the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and the Ministry of Minority Affairs with the Ministry of Women and Child Development overseeing its implementation.

Chonchuirinmayo highlighted that the rhain objectives of the scheme include preventing gender-biased sex-selective elimination, ensuring survival and protection of the girl child, promoting education and participation of the girl child, improving Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) by two points every year, improvement in the percentage of institutional deliveries or sustained at the rate of 95 per cent or above and 1 per cent increase in 1st Trimester Ante-Natal Care (ANC) Registration per year.

On the occasion, popular singer Yursari Ngalung performed the BBBP theme song.

A signature campaign was also organised at the Mini-secretariat campus which saw participation of people from different walks of life who put their signatures, showing support to the initiative.