UP govt to gift condoms to newlyweds as part of shagun

Lucknow: Newly married couples in Uttar Pradesh will get a gift kit from the state government and the scheme will be launched on World Population Day on July 11.

The gift kit will include a family planning message, condoms and oral contraceptive pills and the kits will be distributed though ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activists) workers. The kit will come with a letter explaining to the newly married couple the importance of family planning and spacing between children.

“The basic idea is to prepare newlywed couples about responsibilities of married life,” Avanish Saxena, project manager for Mission Parivar Vikas. The gift pack also contains a pack of towels and handkerchief, nail-cutter, comb and mirror set that will come handy to both the groom and the bride.

For those who cannot read, the information brochures will come with illustrations.

Besides, the ASHA workers will also brief the couple and clear doubts, if any. ASHA workers will have to maintain record by taking feedback from the couples.