Jayalalithaa sow the seed

                     Jayalalithaa sow the seed, TN reaping its benefits now...

The census which was once taken in 2001 during Jayalalithaa's rule and the census taken in 2011 - Tamilnadu shows two key significant development compared to the total countries census statistics and also upbeats other states.

It is very interesting and encouraging observing that the long term, visionary policies of Jayalalithaa resulted now and Tamilnadu is reaping its benefits. The 'Cradle Baby' scheme which was introduced by Jayalalithaa to eradicate the female child infanticide shows up a significant mark in the census.

Dharmapuri, Salem, Theni and Namakkal, identified as high-risk districts in 2001, have shown an increase in the child sex ratio. Child sex ratio is defined as the number of females per thousand males in human population.

The overall child sex ratio has improved in Tamilnadu, in the provisional population figures of the 2011 Census released on Friday. According to the datasheet, the child sex ratio (CSR) in the State improved from 942 females per thousand males in 2001 to 946 females per thousand males in 2011.

The CSR in this age segment is 946 against 942 in 2001— much better than the CSR in India that worsened from 927 to 914. Thanks to Jayalalithaa's visionary 'Cradle Baby' scheme and the 'Girl Child Protection' scheme which was a fantastic move on the part of Jayalalithaa during her regime which is showing up results now.

The sex ratio has improved from 987 in 2001 to 995 in 2011 in Tamilnadu.

The other good news is that the gender gap in literacy is narrowing in Tamilnadu. While the literacy rate for the State increased from 73.5 per cent in 2001 to 80.3 per cent in 2011, female literacy rates improved from 64 per cent in 2001 to 73.86 per cent in 2011.

Empowerment of women always received precedence in the framing of policies and actions of the government under the visionary leadership of Jayalalithaa (1991 – 1996 & 2001 – 2006). Jayalalithaa's government has accorded an unmatched attention towards opening new schools and upgrading existing educational infrastructure. The Government has filled up 58,282 vacancies in teacher posts. The decision to supply free textbooks to all children enrolled in Government and Aided-Schools up to Class XII has been widely welcomed.

Free supply of bicycles to all students studying in Classes XI and XII in Government Aided Higher Secondary schools is a landmark step in facilitating access to quality education in Tamilnadu and ensured no dropouts from schools, especially helped girl child to continue their education in Tamilnadu.

It is important to note that, Jayalalithaa’s government also introduced other programmes for the improvement of women's status such as exclusively recruiting women as primary school teachers in the state, and making primary education compulsory for all children.

I remember reading a news few months back and feel it is important to share that with the readers now.

Left in cradle, girl rises above circumstances to study engg

18-year old Akshaya was full of anxiety and tension like any other teenager. The date of her engineering counselling was approaching and the seats were getting filled. It took all her mother's patience and love to assure her. But here's something you will be amazed to know: Akshya's mother did not give birth to her.

Back in 1992, Jayalalithaa's government introduced 'Cradle Baby Scheme' in Tamil Nadu under which, parents can deposit their girl child in cradles kept at various places of the state, in order to prevent female infanticide. Akshaya was one of the first batches of 14 cradle babies handed to a SOS children's village in Tambaram, Chennai. Today, after securing a seat for her in the Annai Mathamma Engineering College (Namakkal), Akshaya will be the first such baby to enter a professional course.

"Akshya is the first among the cradle babies about to attain adulthood and it's great to see she has a purpose in life. She has made us all proud", said SOS Village director Nambi Varatharajan. Akshaya studied at the Sri Sankara Vidyalaya in Tambaram only. Now she wants to be a computer science engineer. "I know it's not going to be easy as all my life I have been living here in Tambaram. Life at college will be very different, but I am determined to succeed", said a young but confident Akshaya.

“Times of India” 6th August 2010

Leaders have Vision. Leaders have the will to transform that vision into results. From Managing in the Next Society, this was exactly the mission statement of Jayalalithaa reflected when she first took oath as Chief Minister of Tamilnadu.

The visionary and futuristic leader Jayalalithaa sow the seed, TN reaping its benefits now...