Patna: The Bihar Education Project Council (BEPC) tableau, themed on Mukhyamantri Kanya Utthan Yojana (MKUY), bagged the first prize among 14 tableaus displayed during Independence Day celebrations at Gandhi Maidan on Wednesday.

The MKUY is one of the ambitious schemes of the Nitish Kumar government that entails financial incentives to girls at various stages of life. On August 3, Nitish had launched this scheme under which the girl child's life is covered from birth till graduation. It is jointly implemented by three departments - social welfare, health and education.

The tableau sent the message that girls are not a burden on parents; it says Bihar is a state where saplings are planted on the birth of girls. Girls were seen standing on the tableau expressing happiness over getting financial assistance like Rs 2,000 at the time of her birth, one year down another Rs 1,000 and Rs 2,000 when the girl child turns two and all immunisation is done.

There was a proper display on how a girl gets Rs 10,000 after completion of Plus II Rs 25,000 irrespective of her marital status after completion of graduation. At the front of the tableau, the girls showed off their karate skills too.

The second prize was bagged by State Health Society tableau with the message of importance of immunisation. It had the message that if immunisation is provided at the right time, children would be free and protected from diseases. Kids were shown getting immunised by the nurses.

The third prize went to Bihar Police Building Construction Limited (BPBCL) tableau with the theme of advancement in women empowerment and information technology. Women of the Tharu community in Valmikinagar were exhibited. It displayed how eco-friendly construction of the building is, designed keeping basic facilities for women in mind. It focused on women barracks being constructed in every district. Every barrack is equipped with medicare room, common room, baby care room and changing room.

At end of the tableau, advancement of technology was shown with the exhibition of crime and criminal tracking network and system (CCTNS) being set in at every police building in the state.

IPS officer Jitendra Kumar was the parade commander while second-in-command was Subedar Rajendra Prasad Singh. Ashok Pridarshi and Soma Chakraborty were the announcers.

Apart from tableaux, troops wowed the visitors during their parade. Seventeen troops showed off their parade skills.

The best parade in the professional category was given to Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and in non-professional category, the award was given to National Cadet Corps (NCC), Air Wing.

In the best turn-out category, the award was given to Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), male, in professional. In non-professional, the award was given to the NCC, Navy Wing. The best platoon commander in profession was give to Special Task Force (STF) and in non-professional, the award was given to Bihar Scout Guide, Girls.

Owing to the scorching heat, many of the parade team fainted and were rushed Patna Medical College and Hospital.