Can it bridge the gap?

Mona

Going by the power of hashtags, awareness is on the rise; Tuesday saw rise of the #WhyTheGap, next to a picture from the childhood with poignant messages pointing out to the inequality that still prevails!

“I have the same hairstyle as my teacher! Academics helped in making me an independent woman. 2/5 girls still don’t complete school. Let’s ask #WhyTheGap,” tweeted Twinkle Khanna aiming at giving every girl #TheRightStart. She nominated actress Sonam Kapoor, hubby Akshay Kumar and director Tahira Kashyap to share their school memories. Tahira Kashyap Khurrana sportingly posted hers in a pineapple costume saying, “Education empowered me,” highlighting ‘the disturbing fact that 1/3 women in India are married before the age of 18. Let’s ask #WhyTheGap’?

“Sports has been an integral part of my life. School race tracks became my war zone every year and thanks to a supportive family and encouraging school teachers, I could have my moment of glory. Unfortunately, many kids don’t have that support system,” tweeted Taapsee Pannu. 

“Growing up, my parents and teachers always encouraged me to study and do well at school to become an independent woman, but, unfortunately, 27 per cent still get married even before their 18th birthday. #WhyTheGap?,” asked singer Jasleen Royal posting a picture of her in a red blazer getting a certificate from a teacher who holds her in an embrace. 

Lots of questions

Dia Mirza, who has been working on environmental issues, and is also Save the Children’s artist ambassador, posted a cute black and white picture where she is playing on a mat. “While I had the privilege of living under a roof comfortably, two million children still live on the streets,” she says, 

Akshay Kumar accepted the challenge from his wife, posting a picture of him on a bike in what seems like a living room with a TV in the backdrop. “Growing up, I was always inclined towards sports and my mom ensured I got nutritious home-cooked meals to fuel my passion. But 11, 72, 604 children in India can’t afford even a single meal a day! It’s time to ask #WhyTheGap.” The Pad Man then nominated Vidya Balan, Taapsee and Sonakshi Sinha for this challenge.

Shankar Ehsaan Loy, though did not use a school picture of theirs, but a rather recent one, tweeted, “We had the privilege to do what we love and follow our dream, but many children in India don’t.”

Big initiative

The hashtag is making the right noise on social platforms and those aiming at change, wish it leads to more than just posting pictures. An initiative by Save the Children India, a child rights organisation, this four-day-old hashtag is going strong. “As a part of our online centenary campaign #WhyTheGap, the aim is to trigger a dialogue and spread awareness about privileges that enables a few and disable many children who miss out on the most basic joys of childhood, denied the most basic rights to learn, grow, dream and realise their true potential,” says Pragya Vats, Head of Campaigns, Save the Children, which has presence across 120 countries and in 19 states of India.