JAIPUR: Wearing blue saree and a broad smile on her face, 30-year-old
Lalita Rathi looked full of enthusiasm and jubilant when she received award in Jaipur from the state government for what she had done in past one year on Wednesday.
Rathi stole the limelight in the function where more than 50 others received awards. Belonging to
Baran district, which has a sizable tribal population, her job was difficult but her fighting spirit brought her success. She has successfully encouraged 25 males to opt for sterilisation. She is posted as a community health worker (Accredited Social Health Activists).
“I started from my own house. I encouraged my husband to opt for sterilisation. He agreed for it two years ago. We have two children — 11-year-old daughter and a nine-year-old son,” she said.
In Baran district, a total of 198 male sterilisations were conducted in past one year. Out of 198, Rathi has contributed immensely in the success.
She said that due to myths associated with male sterilisation, they do not opt for it. “It was difficult to persuade male for sterilisation. Initially, I felt little frightened. But, I told them that my husband has done it and it has no complication. I talked to females of the area to encourage their husbands to opt for male sterilisation,” she said.
She said that it is all myth that male sterilisation causes weakness. “It is a simple procedure which does not require any cut or stitches,” she said.
Her husband Mahendra Singh works at a petrol pump who also encouraged her to do her job properly.
At the function, she was awarded with Rs 5,000 and a trophy.
Health minister Kalicharan Saraf said, “More than 90% of women opt for family planning method but males do not opt for it, despite all family planning options are available for them”
Lalita Rathi
