The Hindu : New Delhi News : `Girl Stars' to promote education

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, May 10, 2007
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New Delhi

New Delhi

`Girl Stars' to promote education

Madhur Tankha

DANCE AND SONG: Some girls from disadvantaged communities being welcomed by school girls in New Delhi on Wednesday during the launch of a road show to encourage girls to complete education. Photo: V. Sudershan

NEW DELHI: To highlight the importance of education among marginalised girls living in remote areas of the country, a "Girl Stars" project was launched here on Wednesday by UNICEF India in partnership with Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti and Going to School, a non-profit trust.

Flagging off three colourful trucks equipped with mobile theatres for screening tales of ordinary girls who have educated themselves despite insurmountable odds, Samiti vice-chairperson Tara Gandhi Bhattacharjee said the trucks would travel to Rajasthan, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh to highlight women's strength and dignity. "This is a confirmation of woman power and recognition of this fact by society," she added.

The Girl Stars are 15 young women between 17 and 30 years from some of the most disadvantaged communities of the country.

Sharing her experience of facing challenges and obstacles while fulfilling her dream of becoming a successful, self-sufficient and empowered role model, Tehseen Bano said in her village Guruwa in Bihar women of her age were either married or sold fruits. "The village elders feel that if their girls receive education they will either run away or do something that will bring their family to disrepute."

Twenty-five-year-old Tehseen wanted other girls to go to school so she approached Mahila Samakya for the position of a hostel warden.

Stressing the importance of women in the freedom struggle, Samiti director Savita Singh said it was their inner strength that made them take the lead in society. "This inspired many others during the struggle for Independence," she added.

Referring to the Girl Stars, Dr. Singh said they had demonstrated to the world that nothing was impossible. "Mahatma Gandhi and his wife Kasturba stood for women empowerment. They were able to devote themselves to such a mission and formulated views on all aspects of a woman's life -- political, social, domestic and even their development as an individual."

Child reporters of The Yamuna, a newspaper brought out by the Samiti, had an interactive session with the Girls Stars.

Neethu Vincent, editor of the newspaper, said the meeting with the girls made her realise that education was a powerful medium to explore one's talent: "Education is vital for these rural girls, who have no access to the outside world."

Paridhi David, a reporter with the newspaper, said: "Like a blooming flower the Girl Stars have come out of adverse situation and that is very inspiring for each one of us. We believe in the beauty of dreams. Even our President has asked children to dream big. The Girl Stars have realised their dreams through education."

UNICEF representative Karuna Bishnoi said the idea of organising a question-answer session was to make them share their struggling days to complete their education.

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