#shakti4beti reaches The City of Gardens

By Sumathi Rao

BANGALORE, July 24, 2016 –Public Relations Council of India (PRCI) – celebrated Daughters’ Day in memory of Kalpana Chawla, the Indo-American astronaut and the first woman of Indian origin to enter space.

For this year’s Daughters’ Day, PRCI  launched #shakti4beti to focus on the burning issue of  the Girl Child,taking the government’s campaign “Beti Bachao - Beti Padhao”further with "Beti Suraksha".

The highlight of the programme was a Street Play by Hashmi theatre Group on various issues faced by the Girl child, ranging from female feticide to gender discrimination and societal challenges.

Stree Play: A street play focuses on #shakti4beti

Speaking on the occasion  Dr Mallika Ghanti ,Vice Chancellor Kannada University Hampi, brought out the differences in perceptions about the girl child in rural and urban  settings, also highlighting the fact that rural folk culture had a healthy respect  for women. She observed that it was surprising to find discrimination in urban  India among educated people.

She suggested we go back to our roots and stressed that it was important for women to find strength in themselves.

Dr Srinivas Prasad CEO Philips  who was the Guest of Honour urged women and girls to be bold and make the  right choices and have confidence in themselves.

Later, a a panel discussion was held on Because I am a Girl focused  on how girls can reach their full  potential, and live free from violence and discrimination, and have equal economic opportunities. In other words they should be able to learn, Lead, decide and thrive.

PRCI  awarded women acheivers on the occasion. Dr Jayalakshmi ,Vedic Sceintist, and

Scholar, Ms Neela Journalist Prajavani, Dr Deepa Shenoy, Computer Specialist Dr 

Sangeetha  and Ashwini Angadi( both visually challenged achievers) were felicitated for their contributions to society.

Powered by Concept PR, #shakti4beti is a nationwide campaign with several corporates too taking interest in empowering the girl child.