Bollywood actress Madhuri Dixit and Prime Minister Narendra Modi present ‘Sukanya Samriddhi’ account passbook to a girl during its launch at the “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” program in Panipat, Jan. 22. (Shirish Shete | PTI)

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

“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 Madhuri Dixit while addressing the launch function in Panipat, Jan. 22.

While pleading for end to discrimination, she cited her personal life. “We are three sisters and one brother and my parents practiced 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.

Prime Minister 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.