About US

Sunil Jaglan (born 19 June 1982) is an Indian social activist and educator who rose to prominence as a village sarpanch in Haryana and as the founder of the viral “Selfie With Daughter” campaign. Jaglan’s work focuses on women’s empowerment, rural development, and reversing gender bias in North India[1][2]. Over the past decade he has launched numerous initiatives – from Lado Panchayats and women’s gram sabhas to the selfie campaign and menstrual-awareness drives – earning national recognition and government awards for promoting the girl child[1][2]. This article provides a comprehensive biography of Jaglan, from his early life and tenure as Bibipur’s sarpanch to the origins, evolution and impact of the “Selfie With Daughter” movement he championed.

Early Life and Education

Sunil Jaglan was born on 19 June 1982 in Bibipur village of Jind district, Haryana[1]. He grew up in a farming family in rural Haryana, where traditional patriarchal attitudes were the norm. Jaglan earned a Bachelor of Computer Science from Kurukshetra University[1]. After graduating, he worked as a mathematics teacher in local schools. In 2010 he resigned from teaching to contest the election for sarpanch (village head) of Bibipur on an independent ticket[3][4]. He won by a margin of 550 votes, becoming one of Haryana’s youngest sarpanches at the time[4]. His education and early professional background – a combination of technological skills and on-the-ground teaching – equipped him with a modern outlook on governance in a traditional village setting.

Rise as Sarpanch and Early Activism

As sarpanch of Bibipur (2010–2015), Jaglan launched an ambitious “village development” model aimed at improving infrastructure and social welfare. He initiated over 100 schemes for women’s empowerment during his tenure[5]. Notably, he established one of the first women-oriented gram sabhas (village meetings), organizing forums where women could speak about issues like dowry, domestic violence, and female foeticide[6][7]. Jaglan’s “High-Tech Sarpanch” innovations – including Haryana’s first village website showing voter lists and development projects – earned him a reputation for transparency[8]. He also convened Lado Panchayats (female-only councils) as early as 2012, encouraging women from Bibipur and neighboring villages to take leadership roles and demand rights. These early initiatives attracted media attention and even brought a ₹1 crore grant from the Haryana Chief Minister (in 2012) for gender sensitization and foeticide prevention[9][10].

Throughout this period, Jaglan earned government awards for Bibipur’s progress. The panchayat received the National Gram Sabha Empowerment Award (₹10 lakh) in 2013 and the Rajiv Gandhi Panchayat Shashaktikaran Award (₹15 lakh) in 2014[9] – the first time any village panchayat had won these honors for grassroots development[11]. In short, by 2015 Jaglan had transformed Bibipur into a model village for women’s empowerment, advocating education, ending child marriage, and even launching a “Drug-Free Home” campaign on National Panchayati Raj Day[12][13]. This groundwork laid the stage for his next project: a social media campaign celebrating daughters.

Origins and Launch of the “Selfie With Daughter” Campaign

Jaglan’s shift from general village development to a focused girls’ rights campaign was deeply personal. On 24 January 2012, his wife Deepa Dhull gave birth to their daughter Nandini. Jaglan recounts that when the news arrived, he offered ₹2,000 to the nurse in celebration, but she refused it – explaining that they would only accept sweets for a boy. It was then he realized how negative the attitude toward baby girls had become[14]. Shocked to learn Bibipur’s infant sex ratio was abysmally low, Jaglan began urging the community to stop sex-selective abortions and to value their daughters. He organized women’s meetings, street plays and door-to-door awareness drives to confront chauvinistic norms.

In mid-2015, Jaglan launched what would become his signature initiative. Inspired by a Bollywood song about selfies and driven by the tagline “Daughters are pride”[15], he took a “selfie with daughter” and posted it on social media on June 9, 2015. The idea was simple: encourage parents to share selfies with their daughters, visibly celebrating them rather than hiding them. In the first ten days, nearly 800 selfies poured in from across Haryana[16][15]. Word of the campaign spread rapidly. Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the initiative on his July 2015 radio program Mann Ki Baat, calling it a movement that could change mindsets[17][18]. Former President Pranab Mukherjee personally congratulated Jaglan and even helped launch the campaign’s official smartphone app in June 2017[19]. Thus, from a personal selfie in a small village, “Selfie With Daughter” transformed into a nationwide and eventually global campaign.

Goals and Societal Issues Addressed

The primary goal of the Selfie campaign is to combat gender inequality by shifting cultural attitudes towards female children. In patriarchal regions like Haryana, families often abort girl fetuses or neglect girl children; Jaglan’s message is that daughters are not a burden but a source of pride. By sharing happy parent–daughter selfies, the campaign aims to visibly honor girls and normalize celebrating their birth[20][2]. This approach tackles the root of female foeticide by changing mindsets: public pride in daughters discourages secret sex determination tests and illegal abortions.

Key societal issues highlighted include: – Female foeticide and sex ratio bias: Haryana has historically had one of India’s worst sex ratios. The campaign puts a human face on the statistics, helping reverse the notion that “Beti hona buri baat hai” (It is bad if a daughter is born). – Gender equality: Jaglan links the selfie movement to the national Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao initiative, emphasizing girls’ education and rights[21]. – Women’s empowerment: By involving celebrities, educators and grassroots workers, the campaign also supports complementary efforts—like menstrual health education and banning abuse of women—to improve status of girls overall. – Cultural attitudes: Jaglan has spoken about banning derogatory slurs for women (his “Gaali Bandh Ghar” campaign[22]) and installing daughters’ names on house plaques. The selfie is one symbol in a broader push to respect women.

In essence, the Selfie campaign addresses the symbolic dimension of gender inequality: by photographing daughters with pride, society learns to value them. As an OECD Development Communication report notes, this public display of pride was intended to “encourage soon-to-be parents to welcome daughters as much as they do sons”[23]. Jaglan often stresses that it’s not enough to quietly “protect” girls – they must be empowered and educated about their rights[14][24]. The selfie drive thus complements other activism for girls’ education, legal rights and health.

Campaign Timeline and Key Milestones

Over the years, the Selfie With Daughter campaign hit several major milestones and evolved into a structured movement:

• 9 June 2015 – Launch: Jaglan took the first selfie with his daughter and invited others to do the same. Within 10 days 794 selfies were submitted on the newly created online museum[15][16].
• July 2015 – Prime Minister’s Endorsement: In his radio address, PM Narendra Modi praised the initiative and urged parents nationwide to participate, bringing instant national visibility[17].
• June 2016 – Online Museum Unveiled: Haryana’s Health Minister inaugurated the official Selfie With Daughter online museum, where selfies were catalogued and shared.
• June 2017 – Mobile App Launch: President Pranab Mukherjee released the campaign’s smartphone app, calling it an “innovative concept” and lauding Jaglan’s gentle persuasion[19].
• 2018–2019 – Expanded Contests: The campaign introduced special categories. The 2019 contest featured a “Single Mother & Daughter” category, reported widely in national media[25]. That year, government publications (like the Economic Survey) cited the selfie movement as an example of grassroots change.
• March–April 2020 – Global Lockdown Surge: Amid COVID-19 lockdowns, the foundation ran a “Corona Selfie” contest. Over 47,000 selfies were submitted in one month, including entries from celebrities around the world[26][27]. The foundation announced that winners would be honored by former President Mukherjee in a special event.
• 10 May 2021 – Nepal Launch: The movement went international when the Selfie With Daughter campaign was launched in Nepal via a virtual event in partnership with Nepal Internet Foundation. Indian and Nepali dignitaries (including Union Minister Rao Inderjit Singh) spoke about the campaign’s impact on awareness in both countries[28][29].
• June 2025 – 10th Anniversary: A state-level celebration at Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, marked 10 years of Selfie With Daughter[30]. Jaglan presented the campaign’s journey and announced plans to expand related initiatives (like the Gaali Bandh Ghar abhiyan) nationwide. The event honored outstanding contributors: for example, a Madhya Pradesh panchayat was awarded for women’s empowerment, and a single mother from Noida was felicitated for her “Best Selfie” submission[31][32].

These milestones reflect how an informal campaign grew into an institutionalized movement, with annual photo contests, apps, and collaborations with government. In total by 2020, the campaign had collected over 20 lakh selfies from 80 countries[16]. The timeline below highlights key events:

• 9 June 2015: Campaign launch (first selfie)[15][18].
• July 2015: Mention on PM’s Mann Ki Baat radio address[17].
• June 2017: President Mukherjee launches selfie app.
• 2019: Single-mother category added; Economic Survey cites campaign[25].
• Mar–Apr 2020: 47,000+ selfies during lockdown[26].
• May 2021: Campaign expansion to Nepal[28].
• June 2025: 10th anniversary event with awards and new initiatives[30][31].

Recognition and Endorsements

The campaign’s originality and impact drew high-level endorsements. Prime Minister Narendra Modi not only praised it publicly but said it “impacted him deeply” because India had long debated gender imbalance[17]. Former President Pranab Mukherjee became a vocal supporter: he released the selfie app and even posted his own selfies with his granddaughter. Internationally, Jaglan’s initiative has been cited by bodies like the United Nations. For instance, the UN High-Level Political Forum in 2017 praised it as a people’s movement for women’s empowerment[33].

Indian officials have embraced the model. In November 2023 Jaglan was appointed an executive member of the Quality Council of India (QCI), tasked with strengthening Panchayati Raj institutions nationwide[34]. In 2024 UNICEF named him a national advisor on child- and women-friendly panchayats[34]. State governments have also acknowledged his work: Haryana’s top officials invited him to share his “Bibipur Model” at training programs for sarpanches across India[34][30].

Moreover, media recognition came from major publications. The campaign was featured in outlets like The New York Times, which spotlighted Jaglan’s fight against patriarchy, and The Guardian and Vanity Fair, which noted his efforts to change sexist norms[35]. Nationally, leading newspapers such as Hindustan Times and The Indian Express highlighted Jaglan’s girl-child advocacy and rural menstrual health projects[35]. These endorsements – from local government to international news media – have amplified the campaign’s message far beyond Bibipur.

Media Coverage and Public Support

The Selfie With Daughter campaign became a social media phenomenon and a media darling. On Twitter and Facebook, the hashtag #SelfieWithDaughter trended regularly after its launch, with celebrities and influencers sharing their own posts. For example, Bollywood stars and sports icons joined in: actor Sanjay Dutt and actress Kajol posted selfies with their daughters; athletes Saina Nehwal and Rani Rampal did likewise[27]. International figures also surprised many: American tennis champion Serena Williams and British singer Lily Allen posted selfies with their children in solidarity[27]. Even Victoria Beckham took part with her son, showing the campaign’s global reach[27].

Traditional media amplified this buzz. Within months of launch, the campaign was covered in CNN, Gulf News, Business Standard and other outlets as a novel grassroots effort[35][36]. The Better India, NDTV and BBC ran features telling Jaglan’s story, further spreading the word. These stories often cited the campaign’s viral metrics: as of mid-2020 the Selfie website had amassed over 130,000 selfies from common citizens and global users[37]. During the April 2020 lockdown campaign, 47,000 of those came in just one month[26], underscoring how it energized even in a crisis.

Public enthusiasm also translated to events: parents and daughters across India attend selfie gatherings on Daughter’s Day (15 September). In schools and colleges, teachers have used the campaign’s idea to teach gender respect. The media coverage and celebrity participation helped make “Selfie With Daughter” an integral part of India’s discourse on gender – people now invoke Jaglan’s slogan in town meetings, hashtags, and even classroom discussions.

Collaborations and Partnerships

Jaglan’s campaign did not operate in isolation. It partnered with NGOs, international bodies and government agencies to broaden its impact. The Selfie With Daughter Foundation (SWDF) – the non-profit Jaglan runs – officially lists partners such as the Pranab Mukherjee Foundation, the Nepali Internet Foundation and Tewa (an Indian women’s NGO) on its website[38]. In 2017 India’s Economic Survey and OECD Development Communication Network praised the campaign as an example of synergy between civil society and government[33][39].

On the ground, SWDF has worked with schools and village councils. For example, Jaglan’s wife Deepa and daughters help conduct workshops in rural schools, teaching girls about their rights and even charting menstrual cycles (the “Period Chart” campaign)[40]. The government’s Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao initiative (2015–onward) formally adopted concepts from the Selfie campaign – Prime Minister Modi stated the selfie drive would be integrated with national girl-child programs[21]. Internationally, after the 2021 Nepal launch, Indian and Nepalese ministries of women’s affairs co-promoted the campaign[28].

Even at universities, the campaign has formal collaboration: Haryana’s MDU University hosted the 10-year celebration with Sunil Jaglan and officials from India’s Rehabilitation Council[41]. Social media networks like Twitter and Instagram became informal partners: influencers tagged their selfies with the official hashtag, effectively crowdsourcing support. In summary, Jaglan’s initiative created an ecosystem – NGOs, governments and ordinary citizens all working together – to confront gender discrimination.

Impact and Outcomes

The impact of Jaglan’s campaign can be measured in both numbers and stories:

• Quantitative Outcomes: The campaign collected hundreds of thousands of selfies and reached an international audience. By 2020, over 1.3 lakh selfies had been registered on the foundation’s portal since 2015[37]. The selfies came from more than 80 countries[16] – from Canada to Japan to Kenya – demonstrating global awareness. During special drives (like COVID lockdown), tens of thousands joined from abroad. Participation by over 27,000 families in the 2019 contest alone was documented by the OECD DevCom report[42].
• Social Change: In Haryana, official data suggest improvement in gender ratios. The self-proclaimed goal was to increase respect for daughters; by 2023 the state’s sex ratio at birth had climbed to 923 girls per 1000 boys (up from around 871 in 2014)[43]. While multiple factors contribute to such shifts, activists credit campaigns like Jaglan’s for raising awareness. Qualitatively, villages began reporting that more girls were celebrated at birth and fewer families opted for illegal sex determination tests.
• Institutional Adoption: The model inspired related programs. The Haryana government reports integrating the Selfie ethos into health and education initiatives. For example, in dozens of villages “Nameplate With Daughter” campaigns have children’s names on their homes, and schools now include gender sensitivity modules based on Jaglan’s methods[44]. One study noted that after these programs, women began attending gram sabhas in greater numbers and speaking up on local issues[45].
• Media and Awards: The campaign’s success also fed a media narrative of hope. Newspaper and TV stories often cite the number of selfies and events held. In economic terms, the Selfie theme has appeared in official documents (e.g. India’s 2019 Economic Survey[25]) and been discussed at conferences on gender.
• Policy Influence: Jaglan’s work has pushed policymakers to think differently. His model was shared with Panchayati Raj officials nationwide to replicate Bibipur’s development strategies. As a result, some states have launched “girls’ empowerment committees” at the village level in imitation of Bibipur’s Women’s Gram Sabha.

Together, these metrics and narratives indicate that Jaglan’s campaign moved public attitudes and contributed to measurable gains for girls. It helped turn a taboo topic into community conversation, and has been cited by experts as a case study in how communication campaigns can advance the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal of gender equality[46][47].

Public Engagements and Speeches

Sunil Jaglan has been an active spokesperson for the cause. He often gives interviews to media outlets, sharing the campaign’s vision and his personal story. For example, in a 2019 Indian Express interview on National Girl Child Day, Jaglan explained how his daughter’s birth changed him: “It was the first time I became aware of the poor sex ratio in my village”, he said, recounting how the nurse’s reaction motivated him[14]. He used the same interview to note that the selfie campaign (started a few years earlier) had earned recognition from the Prime Minister and President[18].

Jaglan speaks at schools and community events across Haryana, often accompanied by his daughters Nandini (born 2012) and Yachika (born 2015), who serve as living examples of empowered girl children[48][49]. In 2023 he was featured in a Mann Ki Baat segment when Prime Minister Modi conversed with him on radio. University programs have invited him as a keynote speaker (e.g. at the Selfie anniversary at MDU Rohtak[50]).

His speeches emphasize education and rights. He has told parents: “We don’t need to protect girls only; we must sensitize them about their rights while making them aware of society’s realities”[24]. During Women’s Day events he urges government bodies to criminalize abuse and enforce child marriage laws. Although Jaglan does not hold elected office now, he serves in advisory roles (Quality Council of India, UNICEF) where he lectures on gender-friendly governance. Overall, Jaglan combines personal narrative (as a father and villager) with data-backed arguments when he addresses audiences, reinforcing the campaign’s message through both grassroots and formal channels.

Awards and Honors

Jaglan’s pioneering work has earned him and Bibipur Panchayat several awards. Notable honors include:

• 2012: ₹1 crore prize from the Haryana Chief Minister for gender sensitization in Bibipur[9].
• 2013: National “Rashtriya Gaurav Gram Sabha Puruskar” (₹10 lakh prize) for exemplary village development[9].
• 2014: Rajiv Gandhi Panchayat Shashaktikaran Abhiyaan Award (₹15 lakh) – a first-ever award to a single panchayat by India’s Ministry of Panchayati Raj[11].
• 2019: The documentary film “Son Rise” (directed by Vibha Bakshi) about Jaglan’s work won the National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film[51]. It also opened the Indian Panorama at IFFI and won Best Documentary at the New York Indian Film Festival[51].
• Academic Recognition: A chapter on Jaglan’s activism is included in a Class VIII CBSE textbook[52], making him part of school curricula.

Beyond formal awards, Jaglan has received invitations that honor his status. For instance, in 2024 he was conferred the title of “Hall of Gentleman” by The Man Company, highlighting his social impact. His recent appointments by UNICEF and QCI (described above) are themselves marks of esteem in Indian public life. In 2024 he also published a Hindi book Lado Rights: Mahila Adhikaron Ka Sankalan (Gathering of Women’s Rights), further establishing him as an author-activist on the national stage[53][54].

Voices and Testimonials

Many beneficiaries and supporters have spoken about Jaglan’s impact. For example, Khushi, a young girl from Noida raised by a single mother, was named the 2025 “Best Selfie of the Year”. Her story illustrates individual change: Khushi once frequently used abusive words, but the campaign’s message helped reduce her profanity by 70%[55]. Similarly, Raihana from West Bengal, who once endured her parents’ constant swearing at home, reported that the household abuse of language has dropped by 60% after the family embraced Jaglan’s campaign[56]. Such personal testimonies show cultural shifts at the family level.

At the community level, local officials in other states have adopted Jaglan’s model. Ramchander, sarpanch of Makhrola village in Haryana, credits Jaglan’s Bibipur model with increasing women’s participation in governance. He recalls that after adopting similar women’s gram sabhas and Lado Panchayats, “women are not only called for assemblies, they actively participate”[45].

Even international voices have risen. In Nepal, leaders like ICT Minister Ganesh Shah and Women’s Ministry Secretary Julie Mahato publicly endorsed the selfie movement as a catalyst against gender bias, saying it was unprecedented and helped raise consciousness about daughters’ rights[29]. These testimonials—from village children to government officials—underscore a broad-based support network. They reflect growing pride in daughters and gratitude for Jaglan’s advocacy, reinforcing the campaign’s slogan that “daughters are pride”.

Future Vision and Ongoing Efforts

Jaglan’s mission continues beyond the original selfie idea. He emphasizes that the campaign’s legacy should be sustained attitudinal change. He often shares his vision in simple terms: “One day, when the squeals of a baby girl are heard in rural India, the only response should be smiles,” symbolizing an India where daughters are unconditionally celebrated[57]. To realize this, Jaglan has expanded the scope of activities:

• New Campaigns: Jaglan launched “Gaali Bandh Ghar” (Abuse-Free Home) to eliminate derogatory slurs against women in daily life[22]. In schools, he and his daughter Nandini conduct programs like the “Gaali Mukt School” (Slur-Free School) campaign, teaching children not to use sexist language[22].
• Period Awareness: In 2019 he initiated the “Period Chart” Inspired by his daughters’ questions, he helped design household menstrual calendars to destigmatize periods. Starting in a few villages of Haryana, this has spread to at least seven states, involving over a thousand women[40].
• Technology and Education: Jaglan’s December 2024 launch of an “AI-Friendly Panchayat” platform shows he is integrating digital tools to train rural leaders[13]. He teaches Panchayats to use online RTI portals, digital gram sabhas and even social media effectively.
• Institutional Roles: In his advisory positions (Quality Council, UNICEF, university professorships[34]), Jaglan is working to infuse Panchayati Raj systems nationwide with the Bibipur model. For example, Gurugram University invited him as a Professor of Practice to train students and officials in rural development strategies.

Looking ahead, Jaglan plans to further globalize the movement. He has reportedly begun outreach in Bhutan and Myanmar, and seeks partnerships with women’s rights organizations across Asia. Within India, he aims to extend Nameplate With Daughter drives to every state, ensuring every newborn girl’s name is publicly honored.

Above all, Jaglan stresses mentorship. He wants other young leaders to take up the cause. As he put it in an interview, he wasn’t born a superhero – it was the pain and stories of the women in his life that transformed him[57]. By sharing his journey in speeches and social media, he hopes to inspire ordinary parents and officials to become advocates in their own communities. His ongoing efforts – from grassroots village councils to policy advising – all reflect a long-term vision of gender equality firmly rooted in respect and celebration of daughters.

Challenges and Criticisms

Jaglan’s story has not been without controversy. In early 2015, he was suspended as sarpanch by the Jind Deputy Commissioner on allegations of misusing panchayat funds. The charge was that he had installed a submersible tubewell at a supporter’s private home instead of a public site[58]. The village reacted split; some demanded a police FIR against him, while others (led by Jaglan’s sister Ritu) protested the suspension as politically motivated[58][59]. Jaglan denied the allegations, and the High Court eventually stayed the suspension[58][60]. This episode highlighted local tensions: critics accused him of favoritism and financial irregularities, while supporters defended his integrity.

Critics have also questioned the campaign’s tangible results. A 2015 academic survey by Professor Mahabir Jaglan (unrelated to Sunil) reported that Bibipur’s gender ratio remained poor (around 866 girls per 1000) and that female infanticide was rampant[61]. He told Hindustan Times that despite the fanfare, “his campaigns have not made a difference in [the village’s] mindset”[61]. Some local residents echoed this skepticism, suggesting Jaglan had become a media figure without fixing systemic problems. Jaglan responded by pointing out that women’s participation in village affairs had increased and that he had spent significant sums (claims of Rs 5 crore) on development works, although precise accounting was disputed[62].

There have been calls to turn symbolic campaigns into stricter enforcement: for instance, if selfies celebrating daughters gain traction, activists ask that illegal sex-determination clinics be shut more aggressively. Jaglan himself acknowledges that selfies alone cannot end deep-seated patriarchy – they must be coupled with legal and social reforms. In public, he frames challenges as part of the fight: he says detractors only motivate him to work harder. Through dialogue with officials and continuing on-ground activism, Jaglan has worked to address criticisms, emphasizing that changing entrenched beliefs takes time and collective effort.