Educating the girl child: "Kanya Kelavani"

 
For any revolution, the spirit of revolt and readiness for change are essential and hence Modi’s
emphasis on education, especially female education. Commitment, conviction and concern
distinguish a statesman from a politician. Modi deposits each and every gift/souvenir received
by him in the government treasury (toshakhana) for the cause of girl child education (kanya
kelavani) a special fund Kanya Kelavani Nidhi has been created for this cause.

Within a span of 41 years, his 13 predecessors had deposited a meagre amount of Rs.4.55 lacs,
whereas the present Chief Minister has deposited Rs.287.37 lacs in a period of 5 years. He has
thus set a new trend of adding to the state exchequer, the trend that may prove to be a great
challenge as well as inspiration for his successors to follow.

The dedication of a person of the stature of Chief Minister has influenced the society as a
whole. Gradually people were touched by Modi’s commitment for the cause of female
education and in public functions, instead of felicitating him by gifts or souvenirs, they have
started donating cheques for Kanya Kelavani Nidhi. For this benevolent cause, they have
voluntarily handed over more than Rs.11 crores to their beloved leader. This only vindicates
the fact that when the intentions are noble and the commitment total, support flows from all
directions.

Kanya Kelavani Nidhi has been created with a long term goal that no girl child in Gujarat
remains illiterate; and the efforts have started yielding results. In 2006-07, the dropout rate of
girl child has dwindled to 3.68 from 20.81 in 2000-01 (std 1 to 5) and to 11.64 from as high as
36.30 (std 1 to 7). The dwindling drop-out rates are equally supported by new enrolments
through Kanya kelavani Rath Yatra (girl child enrolment drive), a unique initiative in Gujarat.
Since 2003, every year in the month of June, the Chief Minister along with his team travels to
remote villages to encourage parents to enrol their children in schools. It is a three day long
statewide drive covering all the villages and the urban areas in scorching summer heat. An
atmosphere of festivity and celebration is created. The young children now wait keenly to get
themselves enrolled into schools.

Yet another initiative is Vidyalaxmi scheme, introduced during the last 5 years in villages
where female literacy rate is lower than 35% and in the urban areas for the girls belonging to
the below-poverty-line families. Vidyalaxmi bond of Rs. 1000/- is given to girl students who
take admission to the 1st std and 8th std. The girl receives the amount of bond with interest on
completion of std 7th and 10th respectively. This ensures higher retention rate.

Kanya kelavani is now a movement in Gujarat addressing the cause in totality. The initiative
from the level of Chief Minister has moved the hearts of the society and state administration
alike. The mood in Gujarat is to set new records; in the area of education in general and girl-
child education in particular.