Modi in Gurgaon, lauds Haryana over sex ratio
HOPEFUL Modi thanks citizens for the improved gender ratio in state and but does not announce any schemes for Gurgaon or Haryana
GURGAON: Prime Minister Narendra Modi used the Haryana’s golden jubilee celebrations to compliment the people of the state for improving the sex ratio in the state. But he warned there was a long way to go.
Addressing a 20,000-strong gathering at Tau Devi Lal stadium in Gurgaon, Modi said every citizen should pledge that they will not let any girl of Haryana die in the womb.
However, in the 20-minute speech, Modi did not make any mention of new schemes for Gurgaon or Haryana which disappointed many.
“I would always be concerned that such a progressive state witnessed daughters being killed in their womb. I want to compliment chief minister Manohar Lal and people of Haryana today,” he said, emphasising that the day should inspire people of the state to do better in reaching new milestones.
Infamous for skewed sex ratio, Haryana showed considerable improvement with the number crossing the 900 girls per 1,000 boys mark, a target that the state is said to have crossed for the first time in a decade earlier this year. In 2001, the sex ratio was 861 females per 1000 males in Haryana. In December 2015, the sex ratio at birth of Haryana was 903. The national average is 940 as per census 2011.
“I had literally begged through the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (save girl, educate girl)
A day might come when instead of Hyderabadi biryani, Haryanvi biryani will be served across the country.
scheme to end this menace. Today, I can say with conviction that people of Haryana respected my emotions. Haryana now stands among the top states which are witnessing improvement in gender ratio,” he added.
Modi said that there would be no occasion better than the golden jubilee celebrations to pay regards to those who helped handle the issue of female foeticide.
Amid loud bursts of applause, Modi referred to Haryana as the future growth engine of the country’s development. He emphasised that every citizen of the state should work towards developing the state.
“It is time to introspect. It is time to set goals for the next 50 years,” he said.
Modi felicitated officials for the success of the various schemes in the state — ‘Deen Dayal Jan Awas Yojana’, ‘Automation of Fair Price Shops’ and ‘Kerosene Free Haryana.’