New Delhi marked a milestone on Thursday as the ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ campaign, a flagship initiative of the Indian government, completed 11 years since its launch. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media platform X to celebrate the occasion, expressing immense pride in the achievements of India’s daughters who are now setting new benchmarks across diverse fields.
In a heartfelt post, PM Modi reminisced about the campaign’s inception on January 22, 2015, in a nation that reveres daughters as embodiments of prosperity, akin to Goddess Lakshmi. ‘It’s a matter of great pride that today, India’s daughters are creating new records in every sector,’ he wrote, underscoring the transformative impact of the program.
The Prime Minister also shared a profound Sanskrit shloka: ‘Dashputrasama kanya dashputran pravardhayan. Yat phalam labhate martyastallabhya kanayekaya,’ which highlights the unparalleled blessings a daughter brings, equivalent to ten sons.
Launched to combat gender-based sex selection, ensure the survival and protection of the girl child, and promote their education, the campaign is a 100% centrally sponsored scheme implemented across all districts of India. Over the years, it has galvanized communities, government bodies, civil society, and media to foster an enabling environment for girls.
Significant strides have been made in improving the sex ratio at birth (SRB), from 918 in 2014-15 to 929 in 2024-25, as per Health Information Management Integrated System (HIMIS) data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Concurrently, the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) reports a rise in girls’ gross enrolment ratio at the secondary level from 75.51% to 78%.
These accomplishments reflect a broader societal shift towards gender equality, with girls excelling in sports, science, academia, and leadership roles. As the campaign enters its next phase, it continues to inspire nationwide efforts to nurture every girl’s potential, proving that investing in daughters is investing in India’s future.