Saturday 12 August 2017

SAAMNE AA, A BETI BACHAO BETI PADHAO INITIATIVE, LAUNCHED



India’s steeply dwindling child sex ratio among children under 6 years of age which reached an all-time low of 918 girls for every 1000 boys in 2011 from 976 in 1961 (RGI data)- a 6% decline in 40 years- is unhealthy.

In an initiative to continue the good work of the campaign, the BetiBachao, BetiPadhao project unit has launched Reeta Gupta’s “SaamneAa”, a song that speaks against son preference.



The song is sung by SonaMohapatra and has special performances by Paresh Rawal and SwaroopSampat. Composed by Siddharth Sharma, the song launched on 2nd August on Times Music and has already grossed more than half a million views.

Ace singer SonaMohapatra says, “SaamneAa" has a simple tune. I have kept my rendition of it simple so that the essence and meaning of the song emerge. I agreed to be part of this project because I am in line with its vision- to have a society where gender equality is the norm, not the exception.”


Speaking about Saamne Aa, Paresh Rawal, who is in Parliament session in Delhi, said, "This Government is trying to bring about a transformational shift in the way our society looks at the girl child. PM Modi's BetiBachaoBetiPadhao is one of the finest initiatives towards that.”



K Moses Chalai, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Women and Child adds, “ We are happy to support Reeta Gupta’s  Saamne Aa Initiative, as it addresses the problems of both conscious and  unconscious social bias against the girl child.”

“SaamneAa"is an overwhelming ode to the daughters of India and Times Music is honored to be associated with one of India’s most integral campaigns, BetiBachaoBetiPadhao,” said Mandar Thakur COO of Times Music.

SaamneAa is supported by Podar World School, Laadli, a population First NGO and the MCGM.

PS Keskar, the Executive Health Officer of the MCGM added, “ Our message is simple. Beta BetiEkSaman, tohkhushhaalhoga Hindustan.”

SaamneAa creator Reeta Gupta explains, “we must not be vague about the issue of gender. We must have specific action points, such as

1. Celebrate the birth of the girl child in the family
2. Raise our sons and daughters as equals.
3. Encourage varied professions for our girls.
4. Educate those who are indulging in son preference; that a daughter is every bit as capable.
5. Don't use words like para yadhan and bojh while referring to girls.
6.Report any incidence of sex determination test.
7. Encourage boys to help you with the household chores and serve guests.
8. Keep weddings simple. Share wedding expenses equally between the girl's and boy's families
9. Provide safe environments, around us where sexist behavior is discouraged.
10. Write your will, divide your property equally between your son and your daughter.”



SwaroopRawal, who, along with husband Paresh Rawal has put in a special appearance in Saamne Aa, says, “ As a mother, an educator, and an actor I believe that  Gender equality is essential to democracy and inextricably tied up with it.  ‘Son selection’ is a very major bias and impedes gender equality in India where freedom is often misunderstood and misused. I would like the birth of every girl child to be celebrated, just like my family celebrated my birth. And just like I follow my dreams I wish that each girl can pursue hers.”


RupaNaik , Executive Director, World Trade Centre also spoke on the occasion, and shared, “I have always believed that investing in a girl’s education is investing in a nation’s growth and development. Betikoapnao, apnisochkojagaoaurdeshmeinunnatilao.”

Prof A L Sharada of Laadli said,“In our work at Laadli, we emphasize that society must take specific actions to promote gender equality. The song SaamneAa is a step towards that- children, by themselves are innocent and play with each other without thinking of gender at all. But as they grow up, the unconscious biases that the elders  have, begin to shape their minds.”

RaghavPodar, Chairman Podar World School noted, “ We have always been sensitive to the subconscious biases that pervade our society, that express themselves inadvertently. We have consciously made an effort to emphasise the importance of gender parity."


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