Pune Doctor Turns the Birth of Girl Children into a Celebration!

Dr Ganesh Rakh, a doctor from Hadapsar in Pune, has become an inspiration through his efforts to change society's attitude towards the birth of girl children. Coming from a financially disadvantaged family, he experienced hardships during his childhood. His father worked as a porter, carrying heavy sacks of grain in Pune's markets, while his mother washed dishes in other people's homes. As a young boy, Ganesh also helped his father carry sacks. With the support of scholarships, he pursued his education and eventually established Medicare Hospital in 2007. During his medical practice, he noticed a disturbing social attitude: while the birth of a boy was celebrated with sweets, the arrival of a girl often brought disappointment. Some relatives would leave, mothers would cry, and certain families even requested discounts on hospital bills. Deeply affected by this discrimination, he decided to make a difference.

On January 3, 2012, commemorating the birth anniversary of social reformer Savitribai Phule, Dr Rakh launched a special initiative at his hospital. Under this programme, delivery charges are completely waived for families welcoming a baby girl. Instead of receiving a hospital bill, the family is greeted with a cake, flowers and sweets to celebrate the newborn. Although his wife and brothers initially opposed the decision, his father supported him. By 2025, more than 2,500 newborn girls had been welcomed through this initiative. Dr Rakh continues the campaign and travels to spread awareness among doctors and families about respecting and celebrating daughters. His journey from carrying grain sacks as a child to transforming the way families welcome baby girls is a powerful example of compassion and social responsibility.