*Governor launches ‘Bitiya Card’ for empowering & well-being of Girl Child*
*Joint initiative of MCC & Bharat Vikas Parishad for mainstreaming of Girl Child and Self Help Groups*
*Chandigarh, January 8:-* Aiming at empowering, mainstreaming and well-being of Girl Child and Self Help Groups, Sh. Banwarilal Purohit, Governor, Punjab and Administrator, UT, Chandigarh launched an innovative joint initiative of Municipal Corporation Chandigarh & Bharat Vikas Parishad namely ‘Bitiya Card’ at Rani Laxmi Bai Mahila Bhawan, Sector 38, here in the presence of Sh. Anup Gupta, city Mayor, Sh. Nitin Kumar Yadav, IAS, Adviser to the Administrator, Chandigarh, Ms. Anindita Mitra, IAS, Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh, Sh. Ajay Dutta, National Chairman, sewa and Sh. P.K. Sharma, President, Bharat Vikas Parishad, councilors of MCC, prominent persons of city and beneficiary of the scheme.
While addressing the gathering, the Governor appreciated the effort of Municipal Corporation Chandigarh and BVP for this joint initiative to launch ‘Bitiya Card’ under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM). He said that both the organizations have mutually planned to work extensively at the grass-root level so that identified beneficiaries under DAY NULM can get benefit in terms of their health, well-being, and socio-cultural upliftment aspects through holistic development by providing financial support towards continuing their education in case of drop outs, organizing mass marriages among poor and marginalized community and other aspects evolved concerning community need assessment.
Sh. Anup Gupta, city Mayor said that to be specific, both the organizations have come forward under the campaign ‘Beti Bachao Bet Padhao’ to extend support to the members of SHGs and their girl child including Free Education and support to girl child till 10+2; Free Blood and Urine Check-up, X ray, Ultra Sound and consulation with super specialist medical practitioners and organizing Twice Mass Marriages function for the eligible girl child of the SHG members.
He said that the joint initiative between Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh and Bharat Vikas Parishad will go a long way in evolving an effective community based intervention based partnership model towards socio-economic empowerment and healthy community.
Earlier Ms. Anindita Mitra, IAS, Commissioner Municipal Corporation Chandigarh welcomed all the dignitaries and shared information about the scheme elaborating that Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs being implemented by Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh. Social Mobilization & Institutional Development (SM&ID) is one of the components of DAY-NULM, the objective of which shall rest on the foundation that the mobilization of urban poor households to form their institutions is an important investment for an effective and sustainable poverty reduction program.
She said that under Social Mobilization & Institutional Development (SM&ID) component, Municipal Corporation Chandigarh has mobilized more than 5000 urban poor women including marginalized section of community to date into 530 plus Self Help Groups under network of 19 Area Level Federations in the city.
She said that in addition, Rs. 38.40 Lakhs has been released to 384 Self Help Groups as Revolving Fund, which has given them an option to have micro lending with in their groups as thrift and credit. At presents, Self Help Groups are roped in diverse social enterprises promoting RRR (RECYCLE, REUSE AND REDUCE) concept of Sustainable Development under 2030 Global Agenda which in true spirit demonstrating SDG-11 Sustainable Cities and Communities. Few ventures like ARPAN, NAYA SA, VISAR VAHAN, Cloth Bag Making units, have emerged as model women based social enterprises and displayed sustenance in various forum organized by British High Commission, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs at Bharat Mandapam, National Youth Festivals and proved their mettle.
Sh. Ajay Dutta, National Chairman, SEWA, Bharat Visak Parishad said that BVP is a social service based non-government, philanthropy organization aimed at promoting health and well-being, education for improving the life of urban poor and also to get them mainstreamed in community. He said that BVP has been serving the nation for more than 40 years and extended social and economic support to the person in need. More than 700 poor students in government schools are being supported by the Bharat Vikas Parishad on annual basis in the form of support towards stationary, books, uniform and other accessories. Under Helath & Well being, Bharat Vikas Parishad support is running a charitable medical centre in Chandigarh and extending medical services to more than 1500 persons on daily basis.
