December 12, 2016 at 1:38 am

In our country people treat education of the girl child as second priority. No doubt there has been a sea change in the scene in the urban areas of our country and you can find many well educated girls working in big corporate houses in well to to positions. The situation in the rural side of the country  remains grim and worrying. There education of the girls is stopped once they reach the stage of class seventh to tenth. They are made to do chores which they are supposed to do after they marry that is housekeeping and managing a family. If any girl is interested in studies they are told  ‘what is the use of such education in which you will be overqualified than the bridegroom and who will marry you?’. Left with no chance or option she sees her life getting ruined.

Government has the program ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padao’ and has many brand ambassadors endorsing the concept and along with them many social welfare organisations and the governments are also working to improving the status. There is a marked improvement in the cities which can be found  and even the lower income group groups would want even girls to study as they are exposed to the city environment and they know that it is not impossible even for their daughters to stand with the brightest students and be counted among them. They have realised the value of education.

This same situation has arisen in the villages but due to poverty and malnourishment and lack of awareness and practices of old school of thoughts still prevalent, these act as impediments in the girl child getting her due share  in the society. Things are slowly changing for the good though. The population is more than 70 percent in the rural area which is a considerable amount to be covered. In a study it has been found that girls outperform  boys  whether it be in villages or cities. Their pass percentage is high compared to boys. They seem to be studious.

Government has to see that families having girls wherever in India have to be told that funds for their education will be funded by the government but the families that is both parents should be held responsible for the girls study, transportation and other facilities and accountabiliyt has to be fixed on each District Collector or Mayor. Parents have to sign a undertaking that they will be taught till higher education. They will be married only after attaining 18 years of age and if the girls agree, there should be no coercion. If they want to work and be independent they should be allowed to be so.

The money given for the girl has to be spent for the girl only  for the purpose of studies. It has to be linked with the Identity card like Aadhar Card or any bank account meant specifically for the girl only. Independent audit of each has to be carried out by a third party to see no misuse takes place. It can be a model of public and private corporate sponsorship with companies registered in India or any MNC. It must be made mandatory part of corporate social responsibility. Once the girl grows and earns the money back she has to pay the money back into the fund from which she got the money so that this can be again be ploughed back and used for others.

If these steps are taken India will become a economic super power as education provided to a girl is the same as education for a whole family and health of the family is also taken care of as she is educated and aware. Actions speak louder than words which is required today more than ever.