'Angel of generosity': Anand Mahindra hails Pune doctor who waives delivery fees for baby girls

Over the years, Dr Ganesh Rakh has described his efforts as part of his 'Beti Bachao Janandolan'.

Industrialist Anand Mahindra publicly commended Dr Ganesh Rakh of Pune for his rare display of compassion, after learning about an incident at his hospital through a social media post shared by IAS officer D Prasanth Nair.

Nair recounted how a daily wage labourer had admitted his wife for delivery and was deeply anxious about the costs, fearing he might have to mortgage his home to pay for a caesarean section. After the birth, the father’s first question to the doctor was about the newborn’s gender. Rakh told him, “You have been blessed with an angel.” Seeing the man hesitate to ask about the hospital bill, the doctor added, “When angels are born, I don’t charge any fee.”

The response left the father overcome with emotion; he dropped to the doctor’s feet and referred to him as “God”.

Rakh has been following this practice for more than a decade as part of his campaign to highlight gender equality. Since opening his maternity and multi-speciality facility in Hadapsar, Pune, in 2007, he has delivered more than a thousand baby girls without taking payment under his self-initiated programme titled “Save the Girl Child”.

Mahindra, who is himself a father of two daughters, praised the doctor in a heartfelt post, writing: “As a father of two daughters, I know twice over what it’s like when an angel is born in your house… But this doctor is also an angel. An angel of grace and generosity. And this post has reminded me that there is no more powerful way to start a week than by asking yourself how your goals and your work will positively impact your community.”

As a father of two daughters, I know-twice over-what it’s like when an angel is born in your house….

But this Doctor is also an angel. An angel of Grace and Generosity.

And this post has reminded me that there is no more powerful way to start a week than by asking yourself how… https://t.co/sy568QGTzy

— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) August 25, 2025

In a 2016 interview with the BBC, Rakh had explained that he would only begin charging fees for female births when society collectively started rejoicing at the arrival of daughters, as it does for sons. His initiative was conceived in response to the deep-seated preference for male children and the ongoing prevalence of female foeticide and infanticide in parts of India.

The story resonated widely online, with many users describing Rakh’s actions as a form of quiet heroism. Some suggested that government authorities ought to officially recognise his contribution. One commenter wrote: “God sent him to make our world a better place.”

Another user asked, “Great work. But why in the society still such obsession with the male child goes on?” A third remarked: “Inspiring work! These initiatives directly tackle gender bias. Free delivery for girls sends a strong message about their worth. Real change occurs when individuals take concrete actions. His mother’s advice has truly created a lasting social impact.”

Over the years, Rakh has described his efforts as part of his “Beti Bachao Janandolan”—a people’s movement to combat gender discrimination and create awareness against the selective abortion and neglect of female children.