Palanpur: People usually distribute candy, chocolate, cutting cake, light lamps, offering prayer or at the most luxurious party to celebrate their birthday.
But the residents of the remote village of Mehsana – Bhandu – will remember the way the former Sarpanch Gopi Patel celebrates his birthday.
On Monday, Patel ensured the future of 149 girls were guaranteed.
Patel received a bank account from these girls opened under his samriddhi yojana (SSY) which he contributed to each RS 250 as the first installment.
The initial target was to open an account for 500 girls and on Monday parents 149 took benefit from the patel initiative.
“A total of 149 SSY accounts for girls have been opened today,” confirmed by Ra Goswami, post office supervisor, Mehsana.
SSY, a savings scheme promoted by the Indian Government (Goi), can be opened by parents from a child girl under ten years old.
The ownership of the scheme is 21 years or until the girl is married after the age of 18.
This is part of the ‘Beari Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign.
“I have made the first contribution of Rs 250 for 149 girls,” said Patel Toi.
Patel said his business was to educate parents so that their daughter’s financial future was guaranteed at the early stages of their lives.
Former Sarpanch called the post office staff in his office on Monday.
This village has a population of 12,000.
SSY requires that at least one contribution is carried out in the financial year until girls reach maturity.
“I want to create this awareness so that people show more interest in bringing out girls in a meaningful way,” he said, adding that parents who are willing to contribute more can also do it by adding their contributions in the first installment.