Meena now rules the airwaves

By Anjali Singh

GIRL POWER Conceptualised by UNICEF, with help from Hanna-Barbera, the legendary creators of ‘The Flintstones’, this smart character represents ordinary girls in India and voices their dreams. Courtesy: DECCANHERALD.COM

Nine-year-old Meena is in the news once again. This time it’s because the cartoon character who has been educating children across India on issues of gender and health through stories in comic books has now been given a voice.
Every day Meena comes on air on All India Radio (AIR). Launched recently from AIR’s Lucknow and Lalitpur stations, the 15-minute programme is broadcast six days in a week.
‘Hey, that’s who I am’

Reshma Bano (12), from Gosaiganj, credits Meena for inspiring her to become a lawyer. “When I hear Meena speak, I can identify with her completely. That’s why I encourage all those people who don’t send their daughters to school to listen to Meena and understand how important it is for girls to be educated. My parents too love to hear Meena speak and accompany me to the homes of the people who don’t send their daughters to school. Like Meena I tell them that we should help each other lead a better life.”
Reshma is not the only one talking about Meena, who has emerged as a role model for millions of children across South Asia. A spirited nine-year-old, Meena along with her brother, Raju, and a garrulous parrot, Mithu, has been inspiring schoolchildren, their parents and even teachers through entertaining stories.
Speak up, loud and clear

Lalita Pradip, Director, District Institute of Education and Training (DIET), says: “Until now children were listening to the stories of Meena in English. The character has been instrumental in ensuring that girls, even in rural India, do not hesitate to speak English. Through Meena, girls are learning to express themselves. We hope to launch the Meena radio programme in regional languages as well.”
Adele Khudr, Chief of UNICEF, Uttar Pradesh, says: “Through this radio incarnation, children, especially girls, in the remotest villages will be reached.”
Conceptualised by UNICEF with help from Hanna-Barbera, the legendary creators of ‘The Flintstones’, this fun-loving child represents ordinary girls in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Nepal. Along with her pet parrot, Mithu, Meena confronts the problem of extreme discrimination that girls in the region face.
Go for it, girls!

Terming the decision to launch Meena on radio a landmark one, Santosh Yadav — a former bureaucrat and the only woman to scale Mount Everest twice — was present during the inaugural broadcast of the show in March.
Citing her own life as an example of how an ordinary girl from a village of four households reached the top of the world, Yadav in her interaction with a large number of schoolgirls who had come from the eight blocks of Lucknow, talked about how Meena was an inspiration to her too.
“There is no such thing as destiny. It is important to aim high and go for it. Society is invariably against the girl. Many families succumb to social pressure and discourage their daughters. But as daughters we (must) persist with determination and march on.
Education through radio is a powerful medium of self-instruction as well. I learnt English listening to the radio and was able to clear the IAS exams. So, I feel Meena is a very apt gift to all the girls who have dreams of becoming something in their lives.”
And, Meena knows her brand value. She declares in one sequence, “I am motivational, I
am inspirational and most importantly I am enjoyable!” Little wonder then that her voice is ruling the airwaves.

Indian women fast catching up with men in criminal activities

ALLAHABAD, TOI: The modern day women are rubbing shoulders with their male counterparts in the field of crime.
However, their involvement seldom comes to the fore because the parents or guardians shield them for the sake of family honour. On the other hand, men are often caught despite not being a party to the crime simply because of the fact that they are aware about the incident or due to the bad company in which they move, reveals a survey conducted by a sociologist of Uttar Pradesh Rajarshi Tandon Open University (UPRTOU).

 

 

Sociologist Iti Tiwari said that the results are an outcome of an intensive survey conducted at various educational institutions, beggars home, slums data collected by different voluntary organisations. The crime graph is increasing at an alarming pace and there is no specific reason behind this trend. However, the society has simultaneously witnessed a distinct change in the requirements and desires of women. This drives them towards crime which is reflected in the fact that some fields in crime have become female bastion.
She added that many times women take to crime just for the sake of their family and children and sometimes at their own sweet will. It is intentional when she knows the facts and consequences while it is could be unintentional when it is committed without knowing the consequences. This needs to be checked.
She said that major offenders are in the age group of 15 and 20 year. Their foray into the dark world of crime is in different forms like running away from home by taking away cash and valuables and concealing their identity. Apart from this, taking money from parents by misguiding them and spending it on watching cinema, addiction and roaming around the city and outskirts, bunking classes which has become a sort of fashion also comes under the category of crime.
Aping or imitating the male counterparts has also become quite common among girls in the 10-15 age group which is resulting in disastrous consequences as those studying in co-educational institutions sometimes become equal partners with their male classmates in crime. Indulging in physical abuse, minor thefts and giving false statements is a major personality trait of such girls.
Tiwari said those in the age group of 20-35 step into crime in order to achieve something for which they are longing for. On the contrary those in the age group of 45 to 50 are ready to take a wrong decision just because they want to do something for their family in any form, irrespective of the consequences.