PICS: Celebrating India's daughters

Zoya is totally honest, never lies, says exactly what she means and vice versa. I respect that in her.

Also, her mind is extremely logical. I may agree or not, but I have to concede her point in an argument... and we have many"

-- Javed Akhtar, lyricist, in Meri Beti Meri Shakti. He has one daughter.

I never completed my studies. There was no time from boxing. But I am studying for BA exams now. Education is so important for everyone in our country, especially girls."

-- Mary Kom, boxer, Olympic medallist, in Meri Beti Meri Shakti.

The girls do what all children can do; change tyres, haul a gas cylinder and not wait for the brother to do it, because there isn't one anyway!

They have grown up confident that they can do anything a man can."

-- Renuka Chowdhury, politician, in Meri Beti Meri Shakti. She has two daughters.

Education is important, but percentages do not matter to me. Education helps shape character and when kids learn good values, it makes me proud."

Kapil talks about the pride he felt when, after jumping a yellow light and being stopped by a policeman, his daughter insisted that he cut a challan and take the fine from them.

“The man recognised me and hesitated to issue a fine, but she insisted. I apologised to her, and to the policeman," he says, making it clear that this maiden had bowled him over.

-- Kapil Dev, former Indian cricket captain in Meri Beti Meri Shakti. He has one daughter.

It is parents who need to be educated to understand that a girl child can do what a boy can do. This need exists across all strata, including business families like ours."

-- Neerja Kumaramangalam Birla in Meri Beti Meri Shakti. She has two daughters and a son.

More than anything, measures should be taken to improve the health and sanitation (facilities for) girls. That is something that is often overlooked. If girls are not healthy, they won’t be able to concentrate on other spheres of their life."

-- Gayatri Ruia, businesswoman, at the launch of Meri Beti Meri Shakti.

All women issues are of prime importance. From educating girls to taking care of their safety and security -- no issue should be ignored."

-- Avantika Malik, wife of actor Imran Khan, at the launch of Meri Beti Meri Shakti.

It would be silly to choose only one issue because each and every one of them needs to be tackled. However, if I were to choose one, it would be taking care of the safety and security of women from all strata of society. No woman is safe on the streets of India and that has got to change."

-- Saumya Tandon, actor and television anchor, at the launch of Meri Beti Meri Shakti.

Education of girls should be given most importance. It is very essential for girls to be independent and, as a society, we must spend as much money as possible on education."

-- Brinda Miller, artist, at the launch of Meri Beti Meri Shakti.