Padyatra For ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ in 2004

When Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya was an MLA in Gujarat, he was dissatisfied with the statistics of girl child education in his constituency. In the constituencies of Palitana and Gariadhar talukas, the literacy rate of girls was merely 5%. To rectify this situation and work towards the upliftment of the girls in his constituency, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya decided that in the villages where the literacy rate of girls is very low or negligible and the dropout ratio is high, he would embark on a padayatra to spread awareness. The padyatra For ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ was for 7 days, spanned across 38 villages, and stretched across a distance of 123 km.

During the padyatra, girls and women who had undertaken higher studies were honoured and their achievements were glorified. The padyatra has been successful in spreading awareness about the merits of girl child education and has prompted the parents to ensure the education of their girls. As a result of this walk, the level of girls’ education in Mr Mandaviya’s constituency increased significantly and the dropout ratio has also decreased. The then Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Narendra Modi was present at the concluding ceremony of this padayatra and deeply appreciated this initiative. As a result of this, the subject of girls’ education was introduced in the Government of Gujarat, in a lasting policy impact.

The girls who were enlisted during the walk, today, serve as doctors, engineers, officers and employees in the Government. With respectable professions, serving themselves and their families in a self-reliant manner, they have contributed to the development of the country.