Surajpur’s 75 Panchayats Also Declared Child Marriage-Free Under National Campaign
RAIPUR (India CSR): Chhattisgarh has achieved a historic milestone under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Child Marriage-Free India” campaign, launched on August 27, 2024. Balod district has officially become the first district in the country to be declared child marriage-free. Certificates have been issued to all 436 gram panchayats and 9 urban bodies of the district.
Balod Sets a National Example
In the past two years, no case of child marriage was reported from Balod. After verification of records and completion of legal formalities, the district was granted the child marriage-free status. This unprecedented achievement has made Balod a model for the entire nation.
Balod District Collector Divya Umesh Mishra credited the success to the joint efforts of administration, public representatives, anganwadi workers, and the community. She expressed gratitude to all stakeholders for their active participation.
Surajpur Joins with 75 Panchayats
On the occasion of Prime Minister Modi’s 75th birthday, 75 gram panchayats of Surajpur district were also declared child marriage-free. For the past two years, no child marriage case has been reported from these panchayats, marking another step towards social reform.
Commitment to Eradicate Child Marriage Statewide
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai said the government has given top priority to eradicating child marriage. He announced that the state aims to declare all districts child marriage-free by 2028–29. “This is not just a government campaign, but a mission of social transformation,” he stated. The certification process has already been accelerated in other districts where no cases have been reported in the past two years.
Role of Society and UNICEF Support
Lakshmi Rajwade, Minister of Women and Child Development, described the achievement as an inspiration for the entire nation. She emphasized that Balod’s success proves how government and society working together can eliminate deep-rooted practices like child marriage. She also highlighted the role of UNICEF, which provided technical support, awareness programs, and monitoring assistance.
National Recognition for Chhattisgarh
This initiative is being recognized as a milestone at the national level. Experts believe that if other states adopt Chhattisgarh’s community-driven model, the complete eradication of child marriage across India can become a reality.
The Chhattisgarh government is now preparing to declare other districts child marriage-free in a phased manner. The 2028–29 target will bring the state—and the nation—closer to the vision of a Child Marriage-Free India.
(India CSR)
