“Girls are not born by choice but by chance, we need to break this mind-set in India” Pavan Kaushik

It was a day for 600 school children to show their solidarity towards girl child by painting 600 new ideas to protect and honour girls in India.

“Khushi : Our Girls Our Pride” campaign launched by Vedanta Group and NDTV organized an event at Udaipur, Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore simultaneously here hundreds of children painted canvases on the pride of girl child.

Vedanta and NDTV have joined hands to build a life of dignity for the girl child and the film star Priyanka Chopra has been the brand ambassador of this campaign.

In Udaipur, it set a record when 600 school children from 20 schools coloured the canvas by putting their thoughts together.

Some children painted prominent women athletes as inspiration, some draw a child in mother’s womb being treated, some had thoughts of drawing girl as mother, some showed girls going to school, some showed different facets of girl – sister, wife and a creator of life.

The varied thoughts put on canvas were indeed a pride. Delhi Public School that hosted this event organized by Vedanta’s “Khushi” and NDTV encouraged students to build a society which has no gender discrimination. A society of equality and pride for children. A message that said India needs to be proud of its female population.

The event brought students of below 16 years together on a single mission. Children were also joined by their parents and more than 25 female teachers of DPS who stood by them the children. The entire “Khushi” team of Vedanta was also present which helped children develop their thoughts.

Pavan Kaushik, who has carved “Khushi” campaign and who is also Head of Corporate Communication said ” Mr. Anil Agarwal the Chairman of Vedanta Group has given an agenda to spread awareness about the need to build a life of dignity for the underprivileged children.

“Khushi” is a communication campaign fulfilling this mission to inform and spread knowledge about how important it is for India to address more than 20 crore malnourished children, their health and education”.

Speaking on the girl child. ” Girls need to build their status too. Dont get bogged down by social evils or society restrictions. Live as an individual who is bound to make her own identity and capture a newer height. Girls are always pride for the family and for the society”, said Pavan Kaushik.

Many national and international reports have shown that India suffers from serious female infanticide issue, child deaths, malnutrition, and education in deprived children. India is home for the largest children in the world and it is alarming to note that the ratio of females is only decreasing.

Girls are not given birth by choice but by chance. With 50% children malnourished in India and lacking education and primary health, makes all the citizens role more important. Government of India has come forward with Rs. 129,000 crore sanction towards ICDS project, but it will also reach to 50% of deprived population. Thus corporates, NGOs and most importantly, common citizens need to come forward with individual initiatives.

The Principal of Delhi Public School, Udaipur, Ms. Neeru Tandon, spoke about bringing female in front even at school events and gave them preference to build their confidence. “Dont discourage them, just make sure they get proper support” Neeru Tandon says. “We have more of female staff than male staff and I am quite proud of it” she said.

Vedanta has been pioneering the child welfare campaign in India with a mission to make India a child malnourished free nation.

In its effort, since 2008 Vedanta has been associated with government to take care of about 14,000 Anganwadis (child care centres),reaching out to more than 500,000 deprived children.

The company has also constructed 8 Hi-tech Mid Day Meal Kitchens that provides hot nutritious meal to over 250,000 rural students studying in government schools on daily basis. Vedanta has adopted 112 rural schools towards developing their infrastructure and strengthening the education system.

NDTV too has always played an instrumental role in creating awareness about various social issues existing in the country through diverse, path breaking initiatives.

Check More Photos of this event on UT Kids