II

We have an obsession for a male child and this leads to female foeticide. Our Constitution guarantees equal rights to men and women. But females are being selectively killed even before they are born. First select the sex of child by taking sex-selection medicines, then get the sex determined either by ultrasound or chromosomal analysis and if the sex of the foetus is female, get the pregnancy terminated. This being a social problem can be tackled by educating the masses against the ill-effects of the disturbed sex ratio.

After the Supreme Court’s directive to all states, state appropriate authority and district authorities have been formed to ensure that the Pre-Natal Diagnostic Test Act is not violated. However, sex selection by medication and detection of the sex of the foetus continues unchecked.

The Indian Medical Association, the Press and religious leaders have an important role to play to educate the masses against female foeticide. The media, print and electronic, should highlight the failure to implement the provisions of the PNDT Act.

Dr d.s. jaspal, Patron, Indian Medical Association (Haryana), Ambala

III

Though the Government of India had observed 2001 as ‘Women’s Empowerment Year’ with a focus on achieving the “vision in the new century of a nation where women are equal partners with men”, the declining sex ratio proves that the rural and emancipated women is a victim of the gender bias. Even after half a century of independence, efforts to provide better status for women has not yielded results.

Economic growth is not the only yardstick for development. True, results cannot be achieved in a day. Nonetheless, concerted efforts are needed to achieve the goal. This requires a healthy environment in which a woman is perceived by society as an asset and not as a liability. The key to women’s development lies in their empowerment.

gargi arora, Chandigarh

From Pakistan with love We have a friend in Karachi, Pakistan, Mrs Imtiaz Kamal, an internationally renowned nursing consultant and works in the field of maternal and child health. I sent her a letter of greetings on Diwali and also wished her happy Id-ul-fitr. Her reply was emotionally so moving that I feel like sharing it with the readers of The Tribune. I quote her letter: “A very Happy Diwali to all of you. The memories of Diwali are still vivid in my mind’s eye. We used to look forward to it weeks ahead of the day. Diyas were bought. Oil was stored and the wicks were made from cotton wool. The most important part was the Mithai, which our Hindu friends made at home and distributed to all in the Mohalla in our city Lyalpur in Punjab. Ya Allah, Ay Bhagwan, where are those hearts that were full of love? Where are those minds that contained respect for beliefs of their neighbours? Where are those shared joys? The world seems to be getting darker by the day as far as human values are concerned. At times I feel that the Creator should take the matter in his own hands and shake up the human beings, which are making a mockery of His masterpiece. I wonder if we will live to see the day when man-made walls are broken down and we can live in peace and harmony again?” Dr n.n. wig, Panchkula

Clarification

This has reference to the photograph (The Tribune, Nov 19) showing Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Mrs Sonia Gandhi walking along with “unidentified officials” during her election campaign in Chhattisgarh. The lady in the picture along with Mrs Gandhi is Mrs Anita Verma, sitting MLA from Hamirpur constituency.