DNA Jaipur 10th Anniversary: Let’s take the girl child on this transformative journey

Despite its rich history and monumental splendour, Rajasthan, let’s face it, has been a backward state. There is no denying, however, that the state has been witnessing steady growth and economic prowess over the past few years. The past decade, in fact, has indeed been a vibrant one for Rajasthan.

Rajasthan actually is about colour, gaiety and celebrations. Small wonder then that there are festivals galore in the state – from Gangaur and Teej to Pushkar and the Desert fairs! In the recent years, there has been a rise in the number of festivals like the world renowned Jaipur Literature Festival, Sufi festival, Rajasthan Heritage Week, Udaipur World Music Festival, Jaipur Jewellery Show, Jaipur Art Summit, among others. Another addition to the annual calendar of Rajasthan is the ‘Sawai Madhopur Utsav’ which is a festival of rich heritage, culture and celebrates the art and craft of the region.

Known for its historical monuments and rich folk culture, the state now also has a distinctive identity for its ‘Night Tourism’. It is being promoted in a big way in several tourist spots like Amber Palace, Albert Hall, Hawa Mahal, Vidhyadhar Ka Bagh and, not to forget, City Palace. Similarly, activity based circuits are also being planned in Rajasthan such as, ‘Handicraft Circuit’, ‘Birding Circuit’ and ‘Spirituality Circuit’.

My own constituency, Sawai Madhopur, has also witnessed a spectacular change in the past decade. The railway station has become one of the most beautiful stations in the country, with spectacular paintings spread across its walls. The decorated walls reflect Ranthambhore in all its aspects – flora and fauna, bears and crocodiles, leopards and, of course, the tigers. As a matter of fact, many other railway stations of the state have also been decorated with local artwork like ‘Banni Thanni’ and Pichwai paintings.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Swachh Bharat’ has motivated the people throughout the country to participate in cleanliness and sanitation drives. And, Rajasthan is no exception. People from all walks of life including government officials and public representatives are also taking part in these drives. Not only this, NGO volunteers and municipal corporation workers, with the help of appropriate equipment and machinery lift garbage in different wards of the city every day. A massive drive was also recently launched to ban the use of plastic bags and encourage eco-friendly alternatives.

New additions have also been made to the princely sport of Rajasthan, Polo. Events like – ‘British Polo Day’ and the charity fundraiser ‘Nobility for Ability’ have unveiled new dimensions of the sport in Jaipur. Numerous polo players from across the globe travel to Pink City to participate in such polo matches. On the days of the game, the stands are always brimming with enthusiastic fans.

Being the Brand Ambassador of the ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ for Rajasthan, it is a matter of immense gratification to see the State’s sex ratio significantly improving from 888 in 2011 Census to 973 per 1000 males (NFHS-4 2015-2016). This dynamic change is a milestone in the State’s journey towards female foeticide. However, we must remember that saving a girl child is not enough. We must also ensure that they receive the best possible educational facilities.

Talking about girl child also brings us to the issue of women empowerment in the state. The society as a whole needs to be more sensitive towards women. We must honour their diverse roles and understand the importance of their contribution to the society. Apart from the conventional roles, Jaipur has seen the rise of skilled women as traffic police, drivers, conductors, porters and much more. The transformational changes that the state has undergone in the last ten years are not just commendable but have also paved the way for multi-dimensional sustainable development.

The author is MLA, Sawai Madhopur