Girl child education will help raise level of literacy in family

In its third successful year, dna's ICan Marathon initiative has been lauded by one and all. From calling it a great initiative to selecting this year's highlight, citizens say the initiative came at a very appropriate time, when leaders of the society were getting increasingly patriarchal with their mindset about women.

"Women always need some inspiration, it goes in a big way in helping them," said Monica More, survivor of a train accident.

This year, the marathon has selected girl child education as its theme on which to create awareness.

"An organisation taking initiative has a different impact than an individual doing the same. It should be effective and, ultimately, benefit children," said Rohini Salian, special public prosecutor under TADA, POTA, MCOCA and NIA Acts. She added that the fact that a newspaper takes up an issue automatically gives an inspiring tenor to the subject.

"You (newspapers) take news, society's real problems to the public. If you have a noble cause, people will look to read all about it. I feel that it's a really good initiative."

Former banker and Aam Aadmi Party leader Meera Sanyal too welcomed the initiative. "The cause and the form you (dna) have taken are very good. In the current environment, where people and leaders are painting women in traditional and patriarchal way, this is a very welcome step. We welcome women in every sphere, including sports. In running a marathon, sheer participation is encouraging," she said.

"My 30 years of experience in working with women's micro-finance has taught me one thing. When women are financially empowered, entire family's life is better. If a girl is educated, it becomes that much easier for her to be more empowered. It opens up so many opportunities. I would say that a return on investment in a girl is greater than on a boy, as when a girl is educated, the entire family is educated."