M A I L B A G

Time to save unborn daughters

The Tribune’s series on the theme, “Killing the unborn daughter”, has come out well. It is very sad that the issue has attained endemic proportions in Punjab. Punjabis are known for their zest for life. But because of the wrong doings of some people, they are now being dubbed killers.

No one understands that gender discrimination starts from birth to death in our society. Now it is before birth itself. How can we ever stop the incidence of rape, prostitution and violence against women when as a society we don’t respect women at all?

People say that the law against female foeticide should be made more stringent, but the main question is whether the law is ever implemented? Most people say that women are more responsible for foeticide, but can it be done without the involvement of men?

There is need to spread general awareness about gender equality. Son and daughter should be loved and respected equally.

Dr HARVEEN KAUR SEKHON, Malout (Muktsar)

II

Killing unborn daughters is a social evil. All social evils like Sati, child marriages have declined due to general awakening among the people. Similarly, governments, NGOs and local bodies should campaign vigorously in favour of the girl child and their rights. The government should plug the loopholes in various Acts and help check the menace of female foeticide.

Dowry is also one of the reasons responsible for female foeticide. The police cannot check the menace only by raiding the clinics. Action should be taken against the doctors and others involved in this heinous crime.

Dr BRIJ NANDAN, Naleti (Kangra)

III

The male-female ratio is getting skewed day by day due to increasing cases of female foeticide. Social progress will be adversely affected if this disturbing trend is not checked.

At our own level, we are trying our best to bring awareness among the people of this rural and backward area. Our institution conducts rallies, public shows and so on from time to time and appeals people to stop killing our unborn daughters. But our institution is short of funds to do all this. In case we get some financial assistance from any quarter, we would be in a better position to make the society aware of the situation.

AVTAR KAUR, Principal, Aay Pee Ess Educational Society, Lubanian Wali (Ludhiana)

Graduation at 18?

New Delhi’s Staff Selection Commission has recently advertised 210 posts of Section Officers (Audit). The minimum educational qualification for the examination is graduation in any discipline. The commission has fixed minimum age of 18 years to take this exam.

It is not understood how we can complete our graduation in India at the age of 18 years. In Bank Officer grade exam and Civil Services exam, the age limit is 21 to 30 years. The Staff Selection Commission should also change the age limit from 18-27 years to 21-30 years in the larger interest of the aspiring candidates.

RAJIV SOOD, Rajpura