Now, Kanyashree scheme a theme for calendar

The landmark Kanyashree scheme of the Mamata Banerjee-government has become the concept for East Burdwan's District Literacy Mission calendar, portraying the new Bengali year 1424.

The Kanyashree scheme, that was launched by the Chief Minister on October 1, 2013 and helped in bringing down dropout rates in schools in the state, has received international acclaim with Department for International; Development, United Kingdom and UNICEF selecting it for the "Girl Summit," 2014 in London.

Thus to make people more aware about the scheme and how it has helped lakhs of families in continuing education of their girl children, East Burdwan District Literacy Mission has launched the calendar featuring the Kanyashree Scheme. Each of the six-page calendar highlights photographs of children dressed in their school uniforms with their aim either to be an engineer, doctor, police officer, pilot, sports personality or teacher.

In each of the pages, their aims are well-written along with the role that Kanyashree scheme is playing in making their dreams come true. Each of the pages also carry the logo of Kanyashree scheme. Photograph of a girl in her school uniform and wearing an engineer's helmet is the page carrying dates for the month of Baisakh and Jaishtha. The girl expresses her wish saying: "I will be an engineer. I will build cities, houses, bridges and factories," and Kanyashree will assist her in achieving her dream by funding her education.

The scheme that was a brainchild of the Chief Minister is aimed in reducing school dropout rate and to ensure that girl children study instead of getting married before attaining the age of 18 years. Stressing on the significance of women empowerment through proper education, Banerjee had earlier said that girls are precious assets and they should get an opportunity to study and build their future.

In a bid to do so, the state Women Development and Social Welfare department gives Rs 500 as annual scholarship to unmarried girls of age group 13 to 18 years and those who are studying in Classes VIII to XII. The one-time grant of Rs 25,000 is given to those who continue their studies till the age of 18 years.