In Bundelkhand's Hamirpur, where the sex ratio stands at 861 females per 1,000 males, a family defied social stigma by celebrating the birth of their second daughter with striking grandeur. The arrival was marked by a festive procession: a fleet of 11 cars, the rhythm of traditional drums, a live band, and a DJ turning the streets into a carnival. Neighbours and onlookers joined in, distributing sweets and dancing with unrestrained joy, making the celebration as much a statement as it was a festivity.
Details of the Celebration
The baby girl, born on May 2, was brought home on May 11, and a video of the jubilant welcome soon went viral on social media. According to the 2011 census, the sex ratio of Hamirpur is 861 females per 1,000 males, indicating a lower ratio than the average for Uttar Pradesh (912). The child sex ratio (0-6 years) in the district was 886 girls per 1,000 boys.
The celebrations unfolded in the Marathi Pura locality of Maudaha town, where the child's father, Ramji Gupta, a businessman, lives with his wife, Nandini, and three-year-old daughter. The family shared that during her pregnancy, Ramji had expressed a deep wish for a second daughter — a sentiment that was joyfully fulfilled with the arrival of the newborn. As soon as the convoy reached home, the grandmother warmly welcomed the newborn, first applying a kumkum tilak and performing her aarti. Before the baby was taken inside, her tiny footprints were gently imprinted at the main entrance of the house as part of a traditional ritual.
The Procession and Community Reaction
Nandini had been admitted to a hospital around 2 km away for delivery 11 days earlier. She gave birth to a baby girl that night, and the family broke into celebrations upon receiving the news. After Nandini was discharged, the family arranged a convoy of 11 cars from the hospital to their home, decorated with flowers and white balloons. With loud DJ music, drum beats and a long fleet of vehicles, people sang and danced all the way to their home.
The couple travelled in one car with the baby, while other family members and relatives travelled in the remaining vehicles. Neighbours joined the celebration when the convoy arrived home. The video captured an 11-vehicle convoy, each car adorned with fresh flower bouquets. The journey from hospital to home unfolded like a wedding procession, with DJ beats, drum rhythms, and dancing crowds infusing the streets with a carnival-like energy. Onlookers paused to watch the spectacle unfold. Once the clip went viral, social media lit up with mixed reactions. Many praised the family's celebration, with comments like “A daughter is Lakshmi herself.” Others called it a welcome shift in mindset, urging others to follow the example.
Family Statements and Local Impact
The baby's grandmother, Mamata, said the family's financial situation improved after the birth of Ramji's first daughter, bringing wealth and joy to the family. She said, “Another Lakshmi has come into our home, so we welcomed her with great enthusiasm.” An elated grandfather, Ramprakash, has set up a fixed deposit of Rs 30,000 in her name, saying it would be useful for her education.
Locals said they have never seen such a grand celebration at the birth of a girl child in the region, stating that such events could change societal attitudes towards gender discrimination. Ramji said society ought to celebrate the birth of daughters, for they bring prosperity and stand by their parents with unwavering support.
