Madhya Pradesh: Man Distributes Free Petrol To Celebrate Birth Of Girl Child In Family

In Madhya Pradesh free petrol was distributed last week to customers, with the owner celebrating the birth of a girl child in the family. A steep rise in petrol and diesel prices in the country did not stop an overjoyed Rajendra Sainani from marking his niece's welcome in style.

Sainani's sister, Sikha, who is speech impaired had come to Betul, where he runs his petrol pump, for her child's birth.

"Since the opening of the petrol pump in March this year, I wanted to come up with a way to give back to my customers and the little girl’s birth during the auspicious days of Navaratri gave me the needed push," Indian Express quoted him saying.

Five to ten percent extra petrol was handed out to people visiting between certain hours from October 13 and 15, he said.

Madhya Pradesh Free Petrol And Other Stories Of Celebrating Girl Births

In a country that still prefers male offspring over female births, and where female foeticides are common, Sainani recognised how his petrol scheme could have been perceived as just a publicity stunt. But he claims to have sat with the idea before going public with it.

His family members too were in agreement that a girl's birth should be celebrated with as much satisfaction as a boy's coming.

Over the last year, several stories have come to light affirming gender empowerment in the face of society's preferment for sons. Last month, in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, a panipuri vendor distributed free snacks worth Rs 50,000 to welcome his daughter.

In April, a family in Rajasthan booked a helicopter to bring home their first girl child born in 35 years with grand pomp. The baby's thrilled father said he would ensure she got good education and could fulfil all her dreams. Read the full story here.

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