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Patna, Feb 16 : President Prathiba Patil Saturday launched a girl child development scheme of the Bihar government aimed at empowering women.
Patil launched the scheme called 'Mukhyamantri Kanya Vivah Yojna' on the second day of her two-day visit to Bihar.
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After inaugurating the scheme, the president said: "We should fight discrimination against the girl child." She handed over to a few women from the state cheques under the scheme.
Last year, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar launched the girl child scheme on Nov 24 to mark the completion of his two years in office.
Under the scheme, the government will issue a bond of Rs.2,000 at the time of the girl child's birth. "The bond will mature when the girl attains 18 years of age and will be of help for her wedding," Nitish Kumar said.
The president Friday began her two-day visit to Bihar. It is her first visit to the state since assuming office in July 2007. She visited Friday the "remains of the historic Nalanda University" in Nalanda and visited the Mahabodhi temple in Bodh Gaya, where Buddha is believed to have attained enlightenment about 2,550 years back.
She inaugurated a cultural function, Tarang, at the Magadh University in Bodh Gaya Friday before returning to Patna.
Early Saturday morning, she visited the Vaishaligarh, Shanti Stupa and other historic sites in Vaishali district. She is to visit the Sikh holy shrine Takht Saheb in Patna.
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