kolkata

IIE DIGITAL DESK : August 14, 2025, marking the 12th anniversary of the Kanyashree Prakalpa, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee delivered a stirring address at Kolkata’s Dhanadhanya Stadium, showcasing the enduring success of the flagship girls-empowerment initiative. Addressing a large audience of students and dignitaries, she revealed that Kanyashree stood proudly first among 552 similar schemes across 62 countries, underscoring its global recognition and impact. The scheme, she highlighted, has benefited approximately 93 lakh girl students, contributing significantly to reducing school dropouts and delaying early marriages.

From the stage, Mamata Banerjee also shared a poignant reflection on her own struggles during childhood. She recounted how, while seeking admission to college, she had to sell her own gala har (necklace), emphasizing that no student should endure such hardship. With a heartfelt appeal to parents, she urged them to prioritize their daughters' education over early marriages, and to let them pursue their dreams unfettered.

Kanyashree Prakalpa, launched in 2013, is a conditional cash transfer scheme conceptualized by Mamata Banerjee to promote girls’ education and delay marriage until adulthood. Its dual support structure includes an annual scholarship (K1) for girls aged 13–18 who remain unmarried and in school, and a one-time grant (K2) upon turning 18, conditional on continued education or vocational training. This structure has helped destigmatize education for girls in low-income families and serve as a powerful deterrent against child marriage.

Over the years, the initiative has garnered wide acclaim. It was honored with the United Nations Public Service Award in 2017, distinguishing Kanyashree among hundreds of global social-sector schemes.

Today, August 14 is observed each year as “Kanyashree Divas” in West Bengal, honoring the initiative and reaffirming the state’s commitment to fostering gender equity through education.

Mamata Banerjee’s celebration of Kanyashree Divas 2025 was both a tribute to the past and a clarion call for the future. The scheme’s remarkable reach—touching nearly a million girls—and international recognition underline its potent, positive impact. Her personal appeal added an emotional depth to the event, reinforcing the collective vision of empowering every girl child through dignity, education, and opportunity.