NewKerala.com

Grand Procession for Baby Girl in Karnataka Challenges Gender Bias

A family in Barwad village, Belagavi, Karnataka, celebrated the birth of their granddaughter Vaibhavi with a grand public procession featuring music, fireworks, and sweets. Social worker Sambhaji Thorwat and his wife Suman Thorwat organized the event to challenge deep-rooted social norms against girl children. Locals initially assumed the celebration was for a boy but later joined in support after learning it was for a girl. The family emphasized the need to value daughters equally, highlighting concerns over female feticide and the importance of education.

Key Points: Karnataka Family Celebrates Girl Child with Grand Procession

  • Family in Belagavi celebrates birth of girl child with grand procession
  • Newborn Vaibhavi welcomed with music, fireworks, and sweets
  • Locals initially assumed celebration was for a boy
  • Social message aims to counter female feticide and gender bias
2 min read

K'taka family celebrates birth of girl child with grand procession, sends strong social message

A family in Belagavi, Karnataka, celebrates the birth of a baby girl with a grand procession, challenging gender bias and sending a strong social message.

"Daughters should be valued equally, noting that in a country where Goddesses Mahalakshmi, Durga, and Bharat Mata are revered, girl children too must be welcomed with pride. - Sambhaji Thorwat"

Belagavi, April 28

In a unique and symbolic gesture aimed at challenging deep-rooted social norms, a family in Barwad village of Belagavi district in Karnataka celebrated the birth of a baby girl with a grand public procession, drawing widespread attention and appreciation.

Social worker Sambhaji Thorwat and his wife Suman Thorwat organised the celebration to welcome their granddaughter.

The newborn, named Vaibhavi, was brought home in a festive procession marked by traditional music, fireworks, flower showers, and the distribution of sweets.

The procession commenced from the Lakshmi Temple in Ganganagar and proceeded to the Thorwat residence, accompanied by the rhythmic beats of halgi, ghumke, and zhanj. The streets were decorated with rangoli, and residents joined in as petals were showered on the mother and child.

Initially, many in the locality assumed the celebration was for the birth of a boy. However, upon learning that the festivities were in honour of a girl child, onlookers expressed surprise and admiration, with several people joining the procession in support.

After the ceremonial 'gruhapravesh', 'jalebis' were distributed across the neighbourhood as a mark of joy and to spread a social message.

The parents expressed gratitude for the warm and extraordinary welcome.

Grandmother Suman Thorwat said the family believed the newborn's arrival was akin to the blessings of Goddess Mahalakshmi entering their home.

Speaking on the occasion, Sambhaji Thorwat said the celebration was intended to counter the stigma often associated with the birth of girls.

He stressed that daughters should be valued equally, noting that in a country where Goddesses Mahalakshmi, Durga, and Bharat Mata are revered, girl children too must be welcomed with pride.

He also highlighted concerns over female feticide and said that with proper education and values, daughters can become role models for future generations. The family said their initiative was meant to inspire society to celebrate the birth of girls with equal enthusiasm.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

R
Rajesh Q
While this is a nice sentiment, I can't help but feel that we are still making a spectacle out of something that should be normal. Why do we need a grand procession to celebrate a girl child? Because society still treats it as an exception. The real change will come when we don't need such events at all. Still, kudos to the Thorwat family for making a point.
V
Vikram M
This is the kind of news that gives you hope. We've all heard about female feticide and dowry issues. Seeing a family in Belagavi — a region with its own challenges — throw this kind of celebration for their granddaughter is refreshing. That's how you change mindsets, one beat of the dhol at a time. 🎉
N
Nisha Z
I love that the grandmother called it the arrival of Goddess Mahalakshmi. In our culture, we have so many goddesses, yet we treat girl children as burdens. This family is walking the talk. And jalebis distributed to the whole neighborhood? I want to live in that mohalla! 🍬
A
Arjun K
A much-needed positive example. But let's not forget that this is still a news item because it's rare. We need systemic change: better education for girls, stricter laws against sex-selective abortion, and more public awareness. The procession is a step, but the real work is in policy and everyday attitudes. Good on them though for starting the conversation.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50