
Over 80k girls from KGBVs zoom in for ‘Mission Samadhan'
Lucknow: More than 80,000 students from Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs) and over 12,000 staff members joined a Zoom session together as part of 'Mission Samadhan Series-01' on Wednesday.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
This event was not just about awareness and communication — it served as a platform to encourage girls to speak up and become aware of their rights, entitlements and safety, said officials. Mission Samadhan is becoming a strong pillar of chief minister Yogi Adityanath's girl-empowerment model, officials said. This initiative aims to reinforce grassroots implementation of schemes like Mission Shakti, Women's Helpline 1090, Women PAC, Pocso awareness campaign, and cyber safety awareness.
It also prepares girls at the school level to become self-reliant citizens, officials said.
Addressing the students, director general of school education, Kanchan Verma said, "Every problem has a solution. Education empowers us. Learn to distinguish between right and wrong and never hesitate. Learn skills — that is your true strength." She also encouraged teachers and parents to engage in discussions about the future of girls.
In the various sessions of the programme, experts provided practical and life-skill-based knowledge. Senior expert on girls' education, Samagra Shiksha, UP, Mukesh Kumar Singh guided the girls on physical and financial provisions in KGBVs. In the second session titled 'Stay Safe, Stay Happy', topics like cyber safety, good touch-bad touch and helpline services were discussed. Founder director of Samadhan Abhiyan, Archana Agnihotri interacted with the girls in the third session, stating, "The courage to ask questions is the first step to finding solutions.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
" In the final session, Sarita Singh presented the framework of safety sessions being conducted in the schools.
UP's basic education minister, Sandeep Singh said, "Safety and education of girls is our top priority. Through initiatives like Mission Samadhan, we aim to not only provide knowledge, but also instil confidence and a sense of safety in them. The UP govt is committed to empowering every daughter and providing every possible support for her bright future."
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Hans India
2 hours ago
- Hans India
Karnataka: State still struggles to curb child marriages, teenage pregnancies
Bengaluru: Despite being a state that has made rapid strides in education, technology, and social awareness, Karnataka continues to grapple with the serious social issues of child marriage and teenage pregnancies. Despite government-led awareness campaigns and strict enforcement of laws, the number of such cases continues to rise, raising alarm among policymakers and citizens alike. In the 2024–25 period alone, Karnataka reported 700 instances of child marriage. According to the Women and Child Development Department, out of 3,049 complaints received related to child marriage, officials managed to prevent 2,349. However, the fact that 700 marriages still took place despite these efforts has emerged as a significant concern for the state administration. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, during a recent two-day meeting with Deputy Commissioners and Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officers, expressed serious concern over the issue and issued strict directives to curb such practices. District-wise data reveals the spread of the issue across Karnataka. Shivamogga reported the highest number of child marriages at 79, followed closely by Belagavi with 78, which is notably the home district of Women and Child Development Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar. Other districts with a high number of reported child marriages include Chitradurga with 74, Bagalkote and Mysuru with 60 each, Mandya with 57, and Haveri with 42. Mysuru, the Chief Minister's home district, not only recorded a high number of actual cases but also saw the highest number of complaints, at 284. Authorities managed to prevent 224 of those marriages. Similarly, Mandya had 180 complaints, of which 129 were prevented. In Bengaluru Urban, out of 83 complaints, 53 marriages were stopped but 30 still took place. Districts such as Chikkaballapur, Vijayanagara, Ballari, and Chikkamagaluru each reported 11 cases. Koppal received 168 complaints, out of which 161 marriages were stopped, while 7 went ahead. Relatively fewer cases were reported in Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu, and Udupi, with 7, 7, and 6 cases respectively. Over the last four years, from 2021–22 to 2024–25, the state witnessed a total of 2,165 child marriages. The yearly breakdown shows 418 cases in 2021–22, 328 in 2022–23, 719 in 2023–24 (the first year under the current Congress government), and 700 in 2024–25. The sharp spike in the last two years has become a matter of concern, prompting the Chief Minister to sternly question officials during recent reviews. Equally alarming is the number of teenage pregnancies recorded under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. In 2024–25, Karnataka registered 3,489 POCSO cases, of which 685 involved teenage girls who became pregnant. These figures highlight not just sexual violence but the broader social neglect and vulnerability of young girls in the state. Bengaluru Urban reported the highest number of POCSO cases at 343, with 28 teenage pregnancies. Shivamogga followed with 231 cases, including 55 pregnancies. In Belagavi, 179 cases were registered, with 20 teenage pregnancies. Chikkaballapur had 170 cases and 32 pregnancies, while Mandya recorded 160 cases and 8 teenage pregnancies. Despite Karnataka's reputation as a progressive and modern state, these statistics expose the persistence of regressive social practices and highlight the urgent need for stronger enforcement, better education, and community-level engagement to protect the rights and futures of young girls.


Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
Public complaint handling to define an officer's performance
Lucknow: In his first major directive after taking over as UP DGP, Rajeev Krishna on Friday unveiled a 10-point action plan to overhaul policing practices across the state, with emphasis on crime control, women safety, cybercrime response and police-public trust. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In a high-level video conference attended by ADG (law & order) Amitabh Yash and all zonal, range, and district-level officers, Krishna laid out what he described as "the core operational priorities" of the UP Police going forward. He made it clear that these are not routine advisories but a new standard of policing that must reflect on the ground. "In the last eight years, UP has emerged as a national and global benchmark in law and order because of the strong political will of CM Yogi Adityanath. Now it's time for the police leadership to reflect the same clarity and commitment," Krishna said. Calling it his "top-most priority," the DGP warned that public complaint handling will now define an officer's performance. "People should not need to come to PHQ with unresolved issues. The resolution must happen at source," he said. The DGP directed officers to take even the smallest crime seriously. "District police chiefs must personally curate a list of top 10 offenders and actively monitor them using tech tools," he asserted. The DGP noted that while UP made major strides in creating a safer environment for women, "we now need to make it ironclad." He cited 'Operation Pehchaan' from Agra, where software analysis helped identify repeat harassers near girls' colleges, as a model. Krishna said that UP is now known globally for its law and order. "This must be sustained through micro-planning, intelligence analysis, foresight, and leadership," he stressed. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Acknowledging the post-Covid spike in cyber frauds, the DGP said, "Our target is to make UP the No. 1 cybercrime-fighting force in the country within a year." He directed district units to launch awareness drives and bridge the skill gap through training. "International best practices must be embedded," Krishna said, inviting feedback from the field. Calling welfare a "moral obligation," Krishna told senior officers to ensure that every constable feels the department stands by them. "Your force will deliver only when they feel heard and protected," he said. With over 60,000 new constables joining, many of whom cleared national-level exams, Krishna said talent mapping was critical. "We have experts in every field. UP will soon become India's first police force to deploy AI in core policing," Krishna announced. Calling training "the only sustainable path to reform," he urged officers to invest in continuous, qualitative capacity-building. "Well-trained officers deliver better justice to citizens," he said. DGP presented a detailed framework for complaint handling and urged all officers to cultivate a transparent, citizen-first culture. He stressed that SHO-level postings must be done strictly on merit and urged leaders to communicate effectively with their teams.


Hindustan Times
7 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Reviving disappearing rivers in every district needed: U.P. CM
Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday emphasised the urgent need to revive one disappearing river in every district and turn plantation into a mass movement to combat climate change. On the extreme weather events, he said these are clear consequences of ecological imbalance caused by human activities. Speaking after inaugurating Gorakhpur's second Kalyan Mandapam (community hall) at Surajkund Dham, Yogi called for large-scale water conservation efforts and widespread plantation along riverbanks and catchment areas. 'Rivers are like arteries of the nation's body. If they vanish, water crises arise,' the CM said, recalling how the Gaurdhoiya stream, now being revived, was once a river but became a drain due to encroachments. He sought people's support for the 'One Tree in Mother's Name' campaign. Yogi stressed the importance of reconnecting with nature and involving communities in restoring ecological balance. 'The effects of climate change—untimely rainfall, drought, and ecosystem degradation—are all outcomes of human negligence. It is time for us to take responsibility and act collectively,' he said. In his address, the CM also highlighted the role of infrastructure aligned with public needs. He said development should serve society's requirements and facilitate solutions for common people. 'Infrastructure should not only reflect growth but also resolve the issues of the masses,' the CM added. The newly inaugurated Kalyan Mandap, built by the Gorakhpur Municipal Corporation, spans 35,500 square feet. It has been constructed at a cost of ₹4.52 crore. Yogi encouraged residents to install CCTV cameras outside their homes and use technology for public safety. Calling for active civic engagement, he urged citizens and corporators to form mohalla committees to oversee cleanliness and promote plantation drives. These community groups, he said, will play a crucial role in fostering a healthier and greener environment. 'Government schemes can only succeed when people participate wholeheartedly,' Yogi said. On the occasion, the CM also announced that the 75-bedded working women's hostel being built by Gorakhpur Municipal Corporation will be named after 18th-century queen of Indore Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar, an icon of women empowerment and devotion to culture and religion. 'The dedication coincides with Holkar's 300th birth anniversary and honours her contributions to empowering women, farmers, and artisans, as well as restoring several iconic temples across India,' he said. The CM also highlighted key development projects underway in Gorakhpur, stating that the city now enjoys four-lane connectivity from all directions along with completed inner and outer ring roads. Janata Darshan held On the second day of his visit, Yogi held a Janata Darshan at Gorakhnath temple where he heard the grievances of over 200 citizens. The CM directed officials to respond swiftly and sensitively to each complaint, ensuring timely and quality resolutions. Later, he offered prayers at the Gorakhnath temple and fed jaggery to cattle at the temple's Gaushala. 'Complete AYUSH univ work by June 22' Inspecting the ongoing construction of Uttar Pradesh's first AYUSH University in Gorakhpur, the CM expressed his strong displeasure over the delay in its completion. He has set June 22 as the final deadline for the completion of all pending work. 'Celebrate Yoga Day' Addressing the public, he urged citizens to celebrate International Yoga Day on June 21 with great enthusiasm in every ward and locality.