Lata Mangeshkar praises Modi's 'Beti Bachao...' campaign

Melody queen Lata Mangeshkar Saturday lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's nationwide 'Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao' campaign for saving the girl child and fighting against female foeticide.

The 85-year-old Bharat Ratna, who is also called the 'Nightingale of India' for her melodious voice, took to micro-blogging site Twitter to wish Modi success in his new initiative on Basant Panchami, the first day of spring.

On Basant Panchami, Saraswati Puja is performed with traditional fervour as people worship idols of the goddess.

"Namaskar Narendra bhai. Vasant Panchami sarva Vidya ki Devi Maa Saraswati ki puja ka diwas hai, maa Saraswati stree shankti ka pratik hai' aap ke dwara shuru kiye gaye Beti bachao Beti padhao abhiyaan ko aaj ke is pawan avasar par meri taraf se hardik shubhkaamanaayein. Maa aapke is abhiyaan ko yashaswi kare ye meri prarthana," she tweeted.

It translates to: "Greetings, brother Narendra Modi. Vasant Panchami is a festival devoted to the goddess of knowledge Saraswati. The deity is a symbol of woman power and on this auspicious occasion, I would like to extend my greetings for your 'Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao' campaign. I pray for your success."

Modi launched a nationwide "Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao" (Save girl child and educate her) campaign Jan 22 from Panipat in Haryana. The campaign is aimed at spreading awareness about the need to save the girl child and improve the skewed sex ratio.