West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Monday said that the West Bengal government's 'Kanyasree' scheme has become a "brand" in the world and 'Kanyasree Divas' will one day be celebrated across the globe as International Girl Child Day.
'Kanyasree' is now a brand and it is "written in golden words" across the globe, she said at a programme to celebrate the 10th anniversary of 'Kanyasree Divas' here.
"I believe that this day will be celebrated as the International Girl Child's Day in the future," she said and recounted the "proud moment" when she received the United Nations Public Services Award (UNPSA) in 2017 for the scheme beating several other countries from around the globe who had participated in the competition.
"I felt so proud when we won the award. I prepared the logo. The theme song for the Kanyasree Prakalpa was written and set to tune by me," she reminisced.
The scheme is a conditional cash transfer scheme for adolescent girls aged 13 to 19 years from economically backward families in West Bengal to prevent their marriage before they turn 18. It was launched in 2012 by the Mamata Banerjee government in its first term.
'Kanyasree Prakalpa' has also won accolades both in the national and international fora for its good governance.
Banerjee said Bengal should keep moving forward and not allow others to stop its progress.
Referring to Bengal's contribution to the country's freedom struggle, its rich culture and merit, she said "It was from here that the renaissance and struggle for country's freedom had started. If you visit the Cellular Jail in Andaman and Nicobar Island you will see that 90 per cent of the names of freedom fighters are from Bengal and the rest are from Punjab.
"Bengal's culture and merit must keep moving forward. Nobody can stop or threaten Bengal. We will surprise others by developing Bengal," she said.
Bengal must become the center of communal harmony where people of all religions can co-exist, Banerjee added.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter.com, the Bengal chief minister said the 'Kanyasree Prakalpa' has in the last decade transformed the lives of more than 81 lakh young women in the state irrespective of their religious or caste identity.
She posted, "I am delighted to commemorate Kanyasree Divas, a day that exemplifies our steadfast commitment to empowering girl students. Over the past 10 years, Kanyasree has transformed the lives of more than 81 lakh young women by providing education and financial support, regardless of caste, class, and religion.
"Together, let's persist in our collective efforts to shape a more promising future for our daughters," she added.
