Pune: This Family Celebrated Their Second Daughter Like a Festival—and the Village Joined In

Reported by Shoaib Tadvi
Daund, 29th June 2026: At a time when the birth of a second daughter is still met with disappointment in many parts of society, one family from Kedgaon Station in Daund taluka has chosen to rewrite that narrative.

Instead of giving in to outdated social expectations, the Bharati family celebrated the birth of their second daughter with extraordinary pride, turning her arrival into a powerful message of gender equality and hope.

The baby girl was born on June 20, 2026. Six days later, on June 26, the family organised a grand homecoming celebration that captured the attention and admiration of the entire village. A beautifully decorated vehicle carrying the newborn, colourful flex banners, floral arrangements, the distribution of sweets, fireworks, and the vibrant beats of traditional dhol-tasha transformed the occasion into a heartwarming community celebration.

The proud parents, Vishal Bharati, an IT engineer, and Sandhya Bharati, a pharmacist at a private hospital, said the celebration was driven by a simple yet powerful belief: daughters deserve the same love, dignity and opportunities as sons.

Relatives, neighbours and villagers gathered to bless the newborn, making her arrival one of the most memorable celebrations the village has witnessed.

For father Vishal Bharati, the birth of his second daughter was never a reason for concern—it was a moment of immense joy.

“The birth of my second daughter is one of the happiest moments of my life. I wanted to celebrate her arrival just as proudly as anyone would celebrate the birth of a son. Every daughter deserves love, respect and equal opportunities, and I hope our celebration inspires others to cherish their daughters in the same way,” he said.

Explaining the thought behind the celebration, Vishal added:
“Even today, many families do not happily accept the birth of a second daughter. But there is absolutely no difference between a son and a daughter. After seeing our celebration, not a single person told us to feel disappointed because we had another girl. Instead, we witnessed a positive change in people’s mindset. Everyone welcomed our daughter with happiness. Our only objective was to encourage every family to proudly accept and celebrate the birth of a second daughter.”

Mother Sandhya Bharati described the occasion as one of the most cherished moments of her life.

“Holding my daughter in my arms fills my heart with immense joy. Watching our family celebrate her birth so wholeheartedly is a dream come true. I hope every girl grows up knowing that she is valued, loved and capable of achieving anything she sets her mind to,” she said.

The celebration also left a lasting impression on villagers.

Village resident Sunita Jagtap said, “We have seen grand celebrations for the birth of sons, but this is the first time our village has witnessed such a magnificent welcome for a second daughter. It has sent a strong message that daughters deserve the same respect and celebration as sons. I hope more families follow this example.”

The significance of the Bharati family’s gesture becomes even more meaningful when viewed against Maharashtra’s gender statistics.

According to the 2011 Census, the state recorded a child sex ratio of just 894 girls for every 1,000 boys in the 0–6 age group, significantly lower than the national average of 919. Maharashtra’s overall sex ratio stood at 929 females per 1,000 males, underscoring the persistent challenge of gender imbalance.

More recent Sample Registration System (SRS) data for 2022–24, released by the Union Government, shows Maharashtra’s sex ratio at birth at 899 girls per 1,000 boys. The figures also reveal a noticeable rural-urban divide, with the sex ratio at birth recorded at 910 in rural areas compared to 885 in urban Maharashtra. These numbers suggest that despite growing awareness, a preference for male children continues to shape social attitudes in many parts of the state.

To address this challenge, the Government of India launched the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign in 2015 to improve the child sex ratio, prevent gender-biased sex selection, and promote the education and empowerment of girls. While government initiatives continue to raise awareness, social experts believe lasting change begins within families and communities.

Against this backdrop, the Bharati family’s celebration stands as a shining example of how ordinary citizens can challenge deeply rooted stereotypes through simple yet meaningful actions. Their decision to welcome their second daughter with flowers, music, fireworks and the participation of the entire community has inspired many residents of Kedgaon Station and nearby villages to rethink long-held beliefs.

As the rhythmic beats of dhol-tasha echoed through the village streets, the celebration carried a message far more powerful than the festivities themselves—that a daughter is not a burden to be accepted, but a blessing to be cherished.

For the Bharati family, the grand welcome was more than a celebration of a newborn. It was a celebration of equality, dignity and hope. Their story serves as a poignant reminder that every girl deserves to enter this world surrounded by love, embraced with pride, and welcomed with the same joy and respect as any son.