With the recent gruesome murder of tennis player Radhika Yadav, a debate and concern have arisen regarding female athletes. Two decades ago, Haryana was a state, known for stark reality especially for having the worst female sex ratios in the country. A legacy of patriarchal traditions, preference for a male child, and female foeticide had pushed the state’s sex ratio at birth (SRB) to a low of 834 girls per 1,000 boys in 2001.

Female Foeticide (killing the girl child before birth) was a harsh reality in many of the villages of Haryana. Girls were often seen as a "burden," and many families felt ashamed if they had daughters.

However, today, Haryana has turned that page. The story is no longer about missing daughters, but about daughters winning medals, bringing glory to the nation, and changing the mindset of an entire generation.

A Turning Point: ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ Launched in Haryana

In 2015, the Government of India launched the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (Save the Daughter, Educate the Daughter) campaign. It began from Panipat, Haryana; one of the worst-affected districts in terms of female birth ratio.

The government started strict monitoring of sex-selective abortions, encouraged education for girls, and promoted public awareness campaigns. Slowly, things started changing.

According to the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6, 2023-24):

Haryana’s sex ratio at birth has improved to 910 girls per 1,000 boys.
Female literacy has gone up to 80%, compared to just 55% in 2001.

This shift shows a clear change in people’s thinking. Families are now supporting their daughters not just in school, but also in sports, careers, and leadership roles.

The data revealing Haryana's female sex ratio over the years in as follows-

Year	Female Sex Ratio per 1000 boys
2012	832
2013	868
2014	871
2015	876
2016	900
2017,2018, 2021	914
2019	923
2020	922
2022	917
2023	916

The Sports Revolution: Daughters of Haryana Become India’s Pride

The biggest proof of Haryana’s changing mindset is visible in the world of sports. Haryana, a state with just 2% of India’s population, contributes over 30% of India’s female athletes at international levels!

Famous names from Haryana:

Sakshi Malik (Wrestling) – First Indian woman wrestler to win an Olympic medal.
Vinesh Phogat (Wrestling) – Gold medalist in Commonwealth and Asian Games.
Manu Bhaker (Shooting) – Youth Olympic gold medalist and World Cup winner.
Rani Rampal (Hockey) – Former captain of Indian Women’s Hockey Team.
Anju Tomar (Weightlifting), Nitu Ghanghas (Boxing), and many more.

In the Paris 2024 Olympics, girls from Haryana won 4 out of 7 medals for India. This was a moment of pride not just for the state, but for the whole country.

Today, parents in villages proudly say, “Mhari chhori chhoro se kam koyna” (Our daughter is no less than a son)!

How Did This Change Happen?

Several factors helped change Haryana’s mindset:

Government Support:

Sports scholarships for girls.
Special sports hostels and training centers in villages.
Free education up to college level for girls.
Rewards for medal winners (in crores of rupees).

Family Support

Families now encourage their daughters to join sports academies.
Girls go for early morning practice just like boys.
Parents are investing in their daughters' future both in education and sports.

Role Models

The success of Phogat sisters (Geeta, Babita, Vinesh) inspired hundreds of girls. The movie ‘Dangal’ showed the world how a father from a small village trained his daughters to become wrestling champions.

The small village of Balali in Charkhi Dadri district was once a quiet farming village. Today, it is famous across the globe. This is the home of Geeta and Babita Phogat, trained by their father Mahavir Singh. Now, over 50 girls from this village practice wrestling daily. The village built a women’s wrestling akhada (training center), and even young girls of 6-7 years are seen sparring with confidence.

Still Some Challenges remain

Though a lot has improved, Haryana still faces some issues:

Some districts still report cases of honor killings and early marriage.
Dowry, though declining, still exists in many parts.
Some girls drop out of school after 10th standard due to family pressure.

A recent and heart-breaking example is the case of Radhika Yadav, a promising 25-year-old tennis player from Gurugram. Radhika had represented Haryana at the state level and achieved success on the national stage.

Her father, Deepak Yadav, reportedly felt humiliated by taunts that he was "living off his daughter's earnings." He disapproved of her independence, social media presence (especially Instagram reels), and decision-making.

Radhika’s death is a stark reminder: while Haryana has evolved on many fronts, mindsets shaped by male patriarchal control still pose a threat, even to girls who have achieved national recognition. It underscores how freedom, opportunity, and respect for daughters must also be reinforced within families, not just society at large.

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