UP govt to gift condoms, contraceptives as ‘shagun’ to newly weds

Newlywed couples in UP will get a ‘shagun’ (ceremonial offering) from the state government. The ‘shagun’ will actually be a kit promoting family planning message and containing condoms and oral contraceptive pills among other things.

Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh):In an attempt to promote family planning and stabilise the fast-growing population, the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government has planned to come up with a new initiative!

Under this initiative, the Yogi Adityanath government would gift a free kit containing condoms and contraceptives to newlywed couples as 'shagun' (ceremonial offering).

It will be distributed through ASHA workers, the ‘shagun’ will actually be a kit promoting family planning message and containing condoms and oral contraceptive pills among other things. The UP government is rolling it out in 57 districts

It will also contain a letter from the health department that explains the nuances of family planning and the importance of minimum time between two children and aims at stabilising population.

Talking to ETV Bharat, Badri Vishal Singh, Director of Family Welfare Association, said that it is being done under 'Mission Parivar Vikas'.

"The aim is to prepare newlywed couples about the responsibilities of married life. The kit for newlyweds is a box containing packets of condoms, emergency contraceptive pills, general oral contraceptive pills, besides other items of use for the bride and groom," said Singh.