Film star Anil Kapoor backs Plan’s campaign
Anil Kapoor, a good will ambassador for the cause said: "I have received a lot of love and affection from people and helping this cause is one of the most meaningful ways in which I can repay and make a contribution to society. At this point I reiterate my commitment and promise to dedicate more of my time and effort to bring awareness on the subject of birth registration in India."
Through television features, leaflets and posters designed to reach a wide audience, particularly those in rural areas, the campaign highlighted the importance of birth registration. Only 19 per cent of children in India below the age of five possess a birth certificate.
As well as raising awareness, Plan worked with the Office of the Registrar General, state governments, other non-governmental agencies and UNICEF to hold community meetings, carry out training and set up birth registration camps. As a result, in the six districts of Andhra Pradesh 7,221 ongoing and 10,664 backlog birth certificates were issued, while in Rajasthan 47,935 births were registered and 26,983 birth certificates issued.
In Delhi a special project for street children and other vulnerable children was established in an effort to break down some of the additional barriers that these children face in securing their basic right to an identity.
