India’s steeply dwindling child sex ratio among children under 6 years of age which reached an all-time low of 918 girls for every 1000 boys in 2011 from 976 in 1961 (RGI data)- a 6% decline in 40 years- is cause for concern,” said Reeta Gupta at the launch of Saamne Aa, for the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Campaign of Ministry of Women and Child and the FWMCH department of MCGM.

“Saamne Aa”, is a song that speaks against son preference, and encourages us to raise our boys and girls as equals. The song is sung by Sona Mohapatra and has special performances by Paresh Rawal and Swaroop Sampat. Composed by Siddharth Sharma, the song launched on 11nd August, 2017 at the World Trade Center Mumbai by Times Music and has already grossed more than 6 lac views.

Ace singer Sona Mohapatra says, “Saamne Aa has a simple tune. I have kept my rendition of it simple, so that the essence and meaning of the song emerge. I agreed to be part of this project because I am in line with its vision- to have a society where gender equality is the norm, not the exception.”

Speaking about Saamne Aa, Paresh Rawal, who is in Parliament session in Delhi, said, “This Government is trying to bring about a transformational shift in the way our society looks at the girl child. PM Modi’s ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ is one of the finest initiatives towards that.”

K Moses Chalai, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Women and Child added, “ We are happy to support Reeta Gupta’s Saamne Aa Initiative, as it addresses the problems of both conscious and unconscious social bias against girl child.” The Dy. Commissioner WCD, Rahul More presented the song to the audience at the World Trade Center Mumbai, a partner to Saamne Aa.

Kamal M. Morarka, Chairman, MVIRDC World Trade Center Mumbai, said, “Women Empowerment is paramount for achieving economic and social progress of our country. Girls of today are the women of tomorrow. She builds the foundation of a strong society. A girl child is a blessing, she makes this world a brighter place to live but she herself struggles to see the light. She is not an economic burden but a major force in driving the nation’s economy. Education has the power to transform lives. If we educate a boy, we educate one person. If we educate a girl, we educate a family – and a whole nation. I have always believed that investing in a girl’s education is investing in a nation’s growth and development”. MVIRDC World Trade Center Mumbai supports the Save the Girl Child campaign “Beti ko Apnao, Apni Soch ko Jagao aur Desh Mein Unnati Lao”

Saamne Aa is also supported by Rupa Naik, Senior Director, World Trade Center Mumbai, Mr. Raghav Podar of Podar World School, Dr.AL Sharada of Laadli, a population First NGO.

P S Keskar, the Executive Health Officer of the MCGM added, “Our message is simple. Beta Beti Ek Saman, toh khushhaal hoga Hindustan. We are going to show Saamne Aa across many theatres in Mumbai.”

Also present were veteran IAS officer Chandra Iyengar, social worker Karon Shaiva, Founder, IDOBRO Impact Solutions and Dheeraj Gupta, MD of Jumboking.

Saamne Aa creator Reeta Gupta explains, “We must not be vague about the issue of gender. We must have specific action points, such as
1. Celebrate the birth of the girl child in the family
2. Raise our sons and daughters as equals.
3. Encourage varied professions for our girls.
4. Educate those who are indulging in son preference; that a daughter is every bit as capable.
5. Don’t use words like para ya dhan and bojh while referring to girls.
6.Report any incidence of sex determination test.
7. Encourage boys to help you with the household chores and serve guests.
8. Keep weddings simple. Share wedding expenses equally between the girl’s and boy’s families
9. Provide safe environments, around us where sexist behavior is discouraged.
10. Write your will, divide your property equally between your son and your daughter.”

Photo Caption (L to R): Mr. Raghav Podar, Chairman, Podar World School, Mr. Rahul More (IAS), Dy. Commissioner, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Dr.A L Sharada, Laadli, Mr. Siddharth Sharma, Composer - Saamne Aa, Ms. Chandra Iyengar, Retd. (IAS), Ms. Gauri Yadwadkar, Head A and R, Times Music, Ms. Sona Mohapatra, Singer – Saamne Aa, Ms. Reeta Gupta, Director - Saamne Aa, Ms. P S Keskar, Executive Health Officer, Ms. Rupa Naik, Senior Director, World Trade Center Mumbai and Dheeraj Gupta, MD of Jumboking