New Delhi: National Girl Child Day is observed every year in India on January 24. National Girl Child Day is celebrated to promote awareness about the rights of a girl child and the importance of their education, health, and nutrition.


Several leaders wished the nation on National Girl Child Day, which is being observed today. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah, minister of road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari, state minister for civil aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia and many others extended their wishes on the social media platforms.


Extending wishes on National Girl Child Day 2022, PM Modi said, "we accord immense priority to empowering the girl child and strengthening our Nari Shakti."  






Lauding the efforts on the development of women and girls in the country, Shah said according to the Hindi translation of the tweet, “Prime minister Narendra Modi changed the thinking of women's development into the resolve of women-led development and opened the doors of opportunities. Today the daughters of the country are illuminating the name of India in every field. On National Girl Child Day, I convey my best wishes to every daughter of India, the pride of the country."



Shah also mentioned schemes like ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme, which the home minister said turned into people’s movement. Launched on January 22, 2015, the BBBP scheme aimed to address major issues related to female empowerment in the country.


“With determination, skill, and ambition, the daughters of the country are making their mark in every field today. Our government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been continuously striving for 'Women-Led Development’,” Gadkari wrote on Koo.




Minister of Women and Child Development, Smriti Z Irani also tweeted on the occasion emphasising three words -Educate, Encourage and Empower.

 

"Today is the day to renew our commitment to providing equal opportunities to our girls. On National Girl Child Day, as we celebrate the accomplishments of our daughters, we pledge to bridge the gender divide to build an inclusive & equal society," she wrote.


In 2008, the government declared January 24 to be celebrated as the National Girl Child Day every year with the idea of stepping up the consciousness of the society towards the girl child so that she can be valued and respected.


Besides this, the day aims to raise awareness among people regarding inequalities, discrimination, exploitation faced by the girls in society.


“On the occasion of #NationalGirlChildDay, we celebrate the daughters of India who, with a strong resolve & undaunted idealism, are creating an identity in every sphere. On this day, we vow to bridge the gender divide that hinders women from leading a life of independence &dignity,” tweeted Jyotiraditya Scindia.





Union minister of petroleum Hardeep Singh Puri also tweeted, "On the occasion of  let us pledge to continue to build a safe & secure ecosystem that offers equal opportunities to the girls in every sphere of life."



The National Girl Child Day is observed with several programs including awareness campaigns to create a healthy and safe environment for a girl child.


As part of the ongoing 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' celebrations, the Ministry of Culture is organising an event called ‘Umang Rangoli Utsav' this year.


Under this initiative, the teams will make Rangoli decorations at over 50 special locations across the country, according to the government.