Madhuri Dixit bats for girl child

Panipat, Jan 22: Bollywood diva Madhuri Dixit on Thursday came out in support of saving the girl child and end to discrimination, sharing dais with Prime Minister Narendra Modi who launched a scheme in this regard.

"We've reached the Moon and Mars but sadly some still see the daughter as a burden. The skewed sex ratio does indeed ring an alarm bell," said the yesteryears star while addressing the launch function.

While pleading for end to discrimination, she cited her personal life. "We are three sisters and one brother and my parents practised no discrimination in my upbringing," she said.

Underlining that the society cannot function without girls, she said they have the unique ability of keeping the home together.

Referring to the great women leaders and freedom fighters and especially Kalpana Chawla who made Haryana proud with her feat in space, Dixit said it is not just a question of giving birth to girls but giving them proper nutrition, education and opportunities.

"An educated girl is better than a body as she helps in educating the entire society," she said. Modi had a personal note of appreciation for her, saying she chose to attend the event notwithstanding the fact that her mother was admitted to ICU.

"This shows her commitment to the cause and the inspiration her mother gave to her to be in Panipat," he said with a host of Union Ministers along with Haryana chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar in attendance.

PTI