Modi launches girl education campaign in remote villages

Ahmedabad, Jun 13 (UNI) Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today said the education of the girls is the most effective way to fight poverty, illness and malnutrition plaguing the society.

Addressing a rally at Santalpir village of north Gujarat on the second day of Girl Child Education Campaign, he said illiteracy itself was a serious illness of the society.

Mr Modi yesterday launched 'Girl child education festival' from five villages of Porbandar district in Saurashtra.

To spread awareness among people about girl education, the government has organised rallies, aimed at enrolling girl students between six to 14 years in schools and checking dropouts at the primary level, through villages.

''After the Independence, education has remained neglected.

Gujarat is going to celebrate the golden jubilee of its statehood in 2010. We will remove the scourge of illiteracy,'' Mr Modi said at the launch of the function.

During the festival, 32,530 schools in 225 sub-districts of 25 districts will be covered, official sources said.

UNI HT SSS RJ BD2223