SHE MAKES THE WORLD BRIGHT, BUT STRUGGLES TO SEE THE LIGHT.

On 8^th September, 2018, during the morning assembly around 9 am to 10.30 am, a double celebrations began at Bosco Boys Home, Borivali. The boys of Bosco Boys Home came collectively in a bid to promote awareness on the welfare of a girl child and to commemorate ‘International Girl Child day’ as well to celebrate the birthday of ‘Mother Mary’ as all the Catholics around the world celebrated the ‘feast of Our Lady of Nativity’.

The program began with a short prayer service wherein the Medical Nurse Mrs. Annie Dias invited boys to pray for their mother/Aunty/sister/grandmother and particularly for the girl child who are rundown from their basic rights and are prey of inequality in the society. After the prayer service, Mrs. Dias gave insight on the ‘Role of single mother’ and how she brings up her child, overcoming all obstacles of life. This short narrative uttered by her was to make children’s conscious of the significance of the girl child in India and without her ‘We’ can’t advance. She spoke in depth on 'Girl Child day’, She said, “Girl children face discrimination at home and in school. They do not believe that they are entitled to equal opportunities, it is very essential for the girls to access their full potential. They should have a safe and an enabling environment. They should be aware of all their legal rights and the facts of life.”

Mrs. Annie also explained to the boys about ‘Nine titles of Virgin Mary and ‘different roles of the Virgin Mary’ and how she comes to lend a hand to her devotees- when they are in dire straits. She explains what faith meant for the ‘Virgin Mary’ and how God invites us also to live a life of faith as Mary did.

The Short programme included a power point presentation and a virtual skit which highlighted the meaning of the girl child and her achievements.

Mr. Datta explained about roles of girls and achievement stories of some girls like the ‘role of Savitribai Phule’ and put forth the idea of empowering women through education. He spoke in length about how the ‘Social Welfare and the Child development’ have been doing their best not only to create ‘a friendly environment for the girl child’ but also to ‘save’ the girl child. He said, “Every year the Ministry of Women aimed at creating awareness towards improving child sex ratio in the country, and to ensure that every girl child is given a chance to outshine”.

Mr. Eustace Fernandes, the educational incharge, made the boys aware about the welfare scheme of the government for the benefits of Girls like Beti Bachao, Beti  Padhao scheme. Mr. Fernandes highlighted the importance of educating girl child, giving her the right nutrition and treating her on par with the opposite sex.

The purpose of conducting this social activity was to make the boys learn to honor and to respect the girls and to protect them. It is the duty of the Society to raise the consciousness of each person towards girl children and the need to respect them.

After these sessions, the boys were told about the recent surveys reports which claim that more than 5,00,000 girls are killed in India every year even before they are born. Out of which, a majority of India’s population lives in the villages and it is there that such practices are prevalent among the weaker sections, because of the belief that fostering a girl child is expensive. Also the practices are found prevalent in Indian towns and cities as well.

In the group discussion, the students of Std. 9^th and 10^th, stated that it’s time for girls and women to speak up for their fundamental rights of education, healthcare, equality and human rights bestowed upon them by the Constitution. Master Rahul Gowda a student of Std 9^th said, “Girls should be given equal opportunities to progress, they should not be deprived of any basic rights which is required for their progress and the society should give equal rights in all spheres for the girl child to develop. Until and unless they feel empowered from inside and take a stand to claim their due rights, one can’t expect any drastic change in their position in society,” A student from Std 10^th Master Sumit Sonkar added, “One who does crime on a girl is a coward, and Girl has right to express her voice against any injustice done to her by the Society”. Master Zion Satvik student of Std 9^th who also celebrated his birthday today shared his powerful view on the plight of Girl child, “She makes the World bright, but struggles to see the light.” He further expressed, “If all girls born in India become empowered citizens with equal rights, then the purpose of celebrating this day is achieved.”

In the end all students thanked the staff for educative information on this relevant topic.