24th January, 2022 Initiated by the Ministry of Women & Child Development, Government of India in 2008, the “National Girl Child Day” is celebrated on 24th January every Year across the country. The main objective of celebrating the day is to provide the

24th January, 2022

Initiated by the Ministry of Women & Child Development, Government of India in 2008, the “National Girl Child Day” is celebrated on 24th January every Year across the country. The main objective of celebrating the day is to provide the support and opportunities to the girls of the country. It aims at promoting the awareness about the rights of the Girl Child and apprise the importance of Girl Education and their health and nutrition and.

The ICAR Institutes also organized a wide array of vivid activities to mark the day.

ICAR-Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute, New Delhi

In his address Dr. Rajender Parsad, Director, ICAR-IASRI, New Delhi highlighted the importance of a girl child / women in our lives. He underlined the gender-wise data for ICAR Employees and Students in National Agricultural Research and Education System. Dr. Prasad also stated the several success stories of girl child and contributions of women in the National Independence, Science and Social Reforms.

In her address, the Guest Speaker, Ms. Kavita Mathur, Chief People & Organization Officer, Trilegal, Gurugram underlined the discrimination faced by the girls or women at the various spheres of life. She also shared challenges and their solutions to stop the discrimination.

Around 93 participants participated in the event.

 

ICAR-Indian Institute of Maize Research, Ludhiana, Punjab

The Institute organized a Special Lecture on “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao - Not a Slogan, but a War Cry to make India developed” by Smt. Rekha Sharma, Chairperson, National Commission for Women, New Delhi. In her Lecture, she stressed on changing the society’s mindset towards the girl child. She urged for focusing on gender equality, empowerment and sensitization.

  

In his address, Dr. Ashok Kumar Singh, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Extension), ICAR highlighted the Council’s initiatives for empowering the women farmers in the country.

Dr. Sujay Rakshit, Director, ICAR-IIMR underlined that ways in which Maize with the diversified uses can contribute in doubling the farmers’ income and much needed crop diversification.

The event registered participation by over 500 participants.

 

ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research, Hyderabad

Dr. R.M. Sundaram, Director, ICAR-IIRR, Hyderabad emphasized on the significance of honoring the Girl Child with a special day dedicated for them.

A Pledge was also taken to mentor the Girl Students for a successful career in the field of agriculture during the occasion.

 

ICAR-Directorate of Poultry Research, Hyderabad

Dr. R.N. Chatterjee, Director, ICAR-DPR, Hyderabad stressed on the need for empowering the girls for a better future of the society. He also urged for giving the priority and not discriminate them.

About 15 Girls studying in the different Schools aged between 8 to 13 Years participated in the event organized by the Directorate to commemorate the “National Girl Child Day - 2022”.

 

ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh

In her address, Dr. Renu Agrawal, Former Chief Scientist, CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysuru, Karnataka stressed on the need of empowering the Girl Child by ensuring the equal opportunities of growth and development to them. The unbiased Gender Sensitization and opened up on gender differentiation, discrimination and Government Schemes to support and resolve the issues, etc., were emphasized by Dr. Agrawal.

The Guest of Honor, Dr. Nisha Mendiratta, emphasized on the various significant issues pertaining to educating and inspiring the girls to take-up STEMM for building career.

More than 150 Faculties, Scientists, Students, Staff and School Children from ICAR-IVRI, Izatnagar along with all its Campuses and Regional Stations participated in the event.

 

ICAR-National Research Centre on Meat, Hyderabad

The Chief Guest, Smt. Usha Dheram, President, Abhaya Association for Women Empowerment delivered a Lecture on “Empowering Girls for a Brighter Tomorrow”.

Addressing the participants, Dr. S.B. Barbuddhe, Director, ICAR-NRC on Meat, Hyderabad  stated the importance of change in attitude and perception towards the Girl Child in our society. She also highlighted the Government’s initiatives to empower the Girl Child.

The Institute also organized the Quiz Competition on the occasion.

 

ICAR-Central Research Institute for Jute and Allied Fibres, Barrackpore, Kolkata

The Chief Guest, Smt. Jayeeta Dasgupta, State Coordinator, Jan Sahas apprised the participants  about the rights of a Girl Child, importance of education, proper nutrition and health.

  

Addressing the participants, Dr. Gouranga Kar, Director, ICAR-CRIJAF, Barrackpore, Kolkata regarded the promotion of gender equality as crucial for accelerating the sustainable development.

A total of 63 participants participated in the event.

 

ICAR-National Institute of Natural Fibre Engineering and Technology, Kolkata

In her address, the Chief Guest, Dr. Sujata Sahoo, Senior Scientist, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Kolkata Centre emphasized to not only depend on the Government Schemes and initiatives, but also to contribute towards the empowerment of Girl Child at the family and society levels.

  

Dr. D.B. Shakyawar, Director, ICAR-NINFET, Kolkata stressed on encouraging the Girl Child, treating them respectfully and providing an equal opportunity in every household. This, he stated, will help to make the nation’s bright.

 

ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture, Chennai

The Institute organized the “Selfie with Daughter” Competition among the staff members and students to mark the celebrations of the day.

  

Dr. K.P. Jithendran, Director, ICAR-CIBA, Chennai stressed on the need for equity and opportunity for the Girl Child. The Director also felicitated the participants with Certificates during the event.

 

ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh

The Chief Guest, Dr. (Smt.) Neelam Kapoor, Professor, All India Institute of Medical Science, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh emphasized the thought of never giving-up and one should self-challenge & take initiative to solve their problems and not to allow people with negative attitude to influence their life and thoughts.

  

Dr. Ashok K. Patra, Director, ICAR-IISS, Bhopal underlined the women’s contributions to the society in general, and agriculture sector in particular. Dr. Patra also apprised the participants about the rights of the Girl Child and urged to increase awareness on the importance of Girl’s education and their health & nutrition.

Earlier, welcoming the dignitaries, Dr. (Smt.) K. Bharati, Chairperson, Women’s Cell, ICAR-IISS, Bhopal outlined the various activities organized to commemorate the “National Girl Child Day - 2022”.

About 90 participants participated in the event.

(Source: Respective ICAR Institutes)