PM silent on Lalit Modi row, talks about sex ratio, yoga

Modi asks all fathers to send their ‘selfies’ with their daughters to him

By (PTI)

Published: Mon 29 Jun 2015, 9:01 PM

Last updated: Wed 8 Jul 2015, 2:59 PM

Water logged ground where Narendra Modi was scheduled to address ‘Vikas Sabha’. The event was called off in Varanasi on Sunday. — PTI

Water logged ground where Narendra Modi was scheduled to address ‘Vikas Sabha’. The event was called off in Varanasi on Sunday. — PTI

New Delhi — Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday voiced concern over the declining sex ratio in 100 districts of the country, with situation being “more serious” in Haryana, and pitched for a campaign to save girls through the social media.

In his monthly Mann Ki Baat programme on radio, he, however, refrained from speaking on politics or recent controversies surrounding Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje over the Lalit Modi issue which some quarters were expecting.

Was eagerly awaiting the Varanasi visit but unfortunately due to the weather I had to cancel. Sincere apologies to the people of Varanasi.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 28, 2015

He talked about the recently-launched three social security schemes and three developmental schemes, including ‘housing for all’ by 2022, as well as the Yoga Day celebrated on June 21.

He also emphasised on the need for saving water and planting trees to preserve the environment.

During his 20-minute programme, Modi mentioned about the Beti Bachao, Beti Padao (save daughter, educate daughter) scheme launched by the government.

In this context, he mentioned that a Sarpanch of Bibipur village in Haryana Sunil Jaglan had started “selfie with daughter” competition wherein fathers were to post their ‘selfies’ with their daughters.

Appreciating the initiative and pitching for a campaign to save the girl child, Modi asked all fathers to send their ‘selfies’ with their daughters to him, out which he will retweet the good ones.

“In Haryana, the number of girls is lesser than that of boys. Across the country, there are about 100 districts where the situation is worrisome. In Haryana, the situation is more serious,” the prime minister said.