Girls (Kanya) are like the rays of the sun. They are the source of energy in a family unit. They are the seeds of prosperity and growth in a family. Throughout history, the central role of women in society has ensured the stability, progress and long-term development of nations. A nation is empowered only when women and girl children are equal partners as men. In the words of Swami Vivekananda, “Countries which do not respect women have never become great, nor can they ever become in future.” Women empowerment is a gateway to peace and development for a nation or society at macro level and family or organization at micro level. There is progress only when there is gender parity and women are respected and treated as equal with men.
India as a nation is revered in a feminine form, i.e., the Bharat Mata; many important government posts are occupied by women; and educated women are pouring into the professional workforce with profound implications for national and multinational corporations. Birth of a girl is equated with coming of wealth and it is compared with Laxmi, the goddess of wealth. However, ironically, these are accompanied by news about dowry killings, female infanticide, domestic violence against women, rape, illegal trafficking and prostitution and myriad others of the same type. Gender discrimination prevails in almost all areas, be it social, cultural, economic or educational. The battle of a girl child starts even before the day she is born. She is ‘fortunate’ if she is permitted to be born. Even after birth, the girl child faces discrimination and oppression. This continues through childhood, adulthood, marriage, old age till death.
To fight such ideas, on the National Girl child day, we arranged a massive awareness drive throughout the country under our initiative Kanya Kiran. I am a staunch supporter of girl child education. I have been promoting it since my childhood. I remember the time when I lost my father at the age of 4, I cared for my younger sibling Iti the most. She was a month old when my father died and she needed a father figure the most. I have been closely associated with her since childhood. I would guide her to study, to work on herself, support her unconditionally and fulfill her dreams. I can proudly say that I have had some contribution to her education. She is now recognised for her work and integrity independently. Even though our family was poor, both of us completed our formal education properly braving all struggles. We are today what we are because of our commitment to academic excellence.
Education is a paramount part of a living being, whether it is a boy or a girl. Education helps an individual to be smarter, to learn new things and to understand the world. Especially women education in India is the most important pillar of development. In terms of inhabitants, India is the second-largest nation in the world but the rate of girl education in India is extremely low. Educating the girl child must be a necessity for the overall development of the country as women play an essential part in the all-around process of the country. Generally, in rural regions, where people seldom want to send their daughters to school, thinking that education is not important for girls as they eventually get married to settle down. Society assumes that girls should stay at home to help their families. This mindset is completely wrong. In its entirety, girl child education can bring around a monumental revolution in society.
When we say, ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ we promote girl child education. Since early childhood, I understood the problems that girls and women had faced. I am working dedicatedly towards girl child education. I feel the difference between an illiterate woman and a man is patriarchy. The latter with the same capabilities will still lead a better life. So it is important we work towards improving the world. Whenever I see a girl child anywhere in the world suffer it really hurts me. It really bothers me, knowing the fact that the girl has to face way more challenges. Hence I take a vow that with the strength of KIIT and KISS, we will be committed to making a world that is equal for both genders and continue our work for Empowerment and Enablement.
The Blog penned by Hon’ble Founder, KIIT Group of Institutions, Bhubaneswar and Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Indian Republic, is highly commendable and courteous.
O/o DyCoE & O/o Dean
School of Civil Engineering
KIIT University, Bhubaneswar
Background of Kanyakiran Campaign at KIIT -KISS!
KISS (under the visionary leadership of Honourable Founder Dr Achyuta Samanta Sir ) in association with UN Women and Kalinga Fellowship organized a ‘Campaign to Stop Violence against Women and Girl Child‘ in 30 districts of Odisha from 3rd to 8th June 2018 in the name of ‘Kanya Kiran‘.
27,000 students of KISS along with their parents and 3,000 women staff of KIIT & KISS campaigned on the theme “Kanya Kiran” to Stop Violence against Women and Girl Child.
To achieve this Girl Children need Quality Education first & their active participation in Sports, Skill training & in other important areas also.
This is in other words Girls’ empowerment!
Gender equality!
Honourable Founder has been practicing this from his very childhood at the age of 4 after the sad demise of his father.
He has been taking care of his own sister Iti Madam when She was only One month old.
It is rightly said that Charity starts from home.
The mission took a larger ambit in 1992-93 when KISS started functioning at Bhubaneswar with 125 Students on roll & now increased to 30,000.
It is to be noted that majority of Students are Girls who are studying in KISS.
Even maximum employees are Women in KISS.
Regarding empowerment of Girls at KISS & KIIT, many examples are there but to name a few are
Dutee Chand, CA Bhavani Devi & Sumitra Nayak.
World Class Infrastructures for Sports are there at KIIT KISS Universities Campus.
Gurls are empowered when they are able to access opportunities in a variety of fields such as in education & in other professions like Sports, entrepreneurship, & lifestyle, etc., without any limitations and restrictions.
It includes raising their status through education, awareness, literacy and training.
It also includes the authority to take decisions.
When a girl makes a crucial decision, she feels empowered.
Girl’s empowerment is the most crucial point for the overall development of a country.
Wonderful read. Mind churning.
Excellent article Sir 🙏🙏
It will have great impact on the society
Sir, the Kanya Kiran initiative is truly a commendable effort for empowering girls and promoting equality. I pray and hope that girls across the country shine the brightest in the sky just like rays of the sun.
Warm Regards
Wonderful and encouraging 🙏
🙏 Sir It is indeed the most important issue in india that Girl Child are less privileged than Boy Child in our family in every respect . So to promote them your effort and the Program Kanya Kiran is a example for the others and will sure inspire a lot of people.
A volume of encouragement in each blog we read. Thank you.
Women Empowerment in it,s true sense ..👍👍
Every time We learn something from your blogs. Whatever you think that usually converted to the reality. That’s the power of your words. May God give you more and more strength to help the needy as max as possible.
An excellent article Sir🙏🙏