United Nations Millennium Campaign Director Salil Shetty presented a certificate issued by the Guinness Book of World Records to the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan at a function held in Bhopal recently.

The certificate was presented in recognition of the strong support shown by the Madyha Pradesh Government and its people during the Stand Up and Speak out Campaign held on October 17th last year. More than forty three million people around the world took part in the Stand Up initiative, with some of the largest numbers coming from India.

The state of Madyha Pradesh in central India, was responsible for the highest turnout of any one state with 744 000 people taking part in a range of events and activities throughout the state.

Salil Shetty described Chief Minister Shri Chouhan’s personal support for the Stand UP campaign as a sources of inspiration for other states. Mr Shetty praised the efforts of the Madhya Pradesh government and said he hoped that the enthusiasm of the Madhya Pradesh government and people would continue.

Mr Shetty announced that the Stand Up, Speak Out campaign would take place again this year from October 17th through 19th and that there would be events throughout the state to create awareness about the Millennium Development Goals and support their achievement.

Mr Shetty also acknowledged the efforts of the Madhya Pradesh government in launching state based programmes to support the achievement of the Millennium Goals. He said that these programmes could be strengthened if they were monitored by credible agencies.

The Government of Madhya Pradesh implemented various programmes for the welfare of children, women and the poor. These programmes include the free supply of uniforms and text-books and the supply of free bicycles to village girls who travel to neighboring villages to study and scholarships for children of laborers, free medical care for laborers and paid time off for female workers.