M A I L B A G

Social attitude towards girls must change

I refer to Gayatri Rajwade’s series on the theme, “Killing the unborn daughter”. It is a shame that cases of female foeticide, especially in Punjab, are increasing day by day. It hurts us a lot when we read that educated parents and doctors are responsible for this cruelty. Consequently, whatever laws our legislatures are enacting are becoming meaningless.

Until and unless the general public is made aware of the importance of the girl child, our society cannot progress. As some families are abandoning baby girls soon after their birth, they need suitable counselling and psychological treatment. If female foeticide is not checked, the day is not far when there will be only men with no women to take care of them. I appeal to the public to wake up and feel proud to have a daughter.

SHUCHI MAKOL, Fatehgarh Sahib

II

I have been reading the editorials, articles and reports on female foeticide in The Tribune regularly. Indeed, The Tribune is doing a good work by bringing to the fore such issues.

The main reason for female foeticide is the dowry system. This menace is driving parents to go for a son than a daughter. Until and unless this evil is removed, we cannot change the minds of parents who have preference for a son.

KIRANJIT SINGH AHLUWALIA, Khanna

III

The Tribune’s series will, certainly, have a profound impact on the minds of those who are indulging in this heinous crime. The Tribune deserves praise for the series which will awaken the masses and educate people.

The mass graveyard of unborn girls found in a vacant plot in Patran was shocking. The butchers killed these unborn girls who have not seen the rays of the sun. Punjabis are relatively rich in India and they need to introspect on this problem. Some Deputy Commissioners in Punjab have already started action against foeticide. The girl ratio has been increased in a few villages of Nawanshahr and Faridkot districts. The women should raise their voice against foeticide and not allow such tests. The health department should raid the ultrasound centres and catch the culprits.

If any doctor indulges in such activities, his/her license should be cancelled. The Supreme Court’s order for a total ban on pre-natal sex determination tests should be enforced in letter and spirit.

M.L. GARG, Chandigarh

IV

The onus for female foeticide is purely on us. The daughters in general are more sincere and obedient than sons. Still, we prefer sons. Keeping in view the prevailing greed for dowry and unprotected environment for girls in society, people do not seem to prefer daughters. Nowadays, even the protectors like elders, relatives and teachers have become a serious threat to the safety of the daughters.

There was a time when the daughter of one person in the village was treated as the daughter of the entire village. The daughter’s welfare and protection was the concern of entire village. Consider the status of our daughters today. We call ourselves sensible and forward looking, but why is foeticide continuing? It is time to return to our past tradition; we must restore the girl’s earlier status in society in the real sense and protect them.

SURINDER SINGH, Jammu Cantonment

V

I compliment The Tribune for the series on unborn daughters. Gayatri Rajwade has been successful in putting across her viewpoint that girls are the foundation stone of every nation because without girls, there are no prospective mothers and ultimately the nation itself is doomed.

The writer has rung the alarm bells. We should now do everything within our power to set right the skewed sex ratio. What is required is to change the mindset of the people and remove the gender bias. All the scanning centres should be put under strict surveillance and the delinquents should be taken to task firmly. A sea change is required in society and the fourth estate would be able to bring that radical change with objective and incisive writings such as this. Let us hope the next decade will see a rise in the number of girls, thereby setting right the skewed sex ratio.

ARVIND PURI SAO, Kapurthala

VI

The series based on facts was very informative and thought provoking. I agree that the girl child is neither safe in the womb nor in society. She is being discriminated. There are mainly two reasons which encourage people to go for pre-natal sex determination test and then abortion. The first is the parents’ desire for a son who is considered the heir apparent. And the second is the dowry menace.

Though we have laws to deal with dowry seekers and those who do sex determination tests, these cannot be enforced properly without the people’s active cooperation. We have to change our societal attitude; laws alone won’t help.

It is sad that in prosperous states like Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Gujarat, the sex ratio has declined to less than 900 girls per 1000 boys. There is, of course, a silver lining. Punjab’s Nawanshahr district has proved that sincere and honest efforts in the right direction can help improve the sex ratio. Manu aptly said, Yatra naryastu punjayante/ ramante tatra devatah, (Gods live where women are respected).

Prof PARVEEN RANA, Govt. College, Hoshiarpur

 

It isn’t Lalu’s credit alone I refer to the front-page report of Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav’s lecture at IIM, Ahmedabad (Sept 19). The big question is if Lalu is a genius, why could not he transform Bihar during his 15-year rule there? The Indian Railways’ success is not only because of Lalu but also of the entire administration including the Railway Ministry, the Railway Board and all the zonal offices. The formula for jacking up the profitability of the railways was found by an IAS officer whom Lalu had brought on deputation from the Bihar cadre. Lalu hardly understands the meaning of “axle load” or other technical terms in vogue in the Indian Railways. But, as is generally the case, credit goes to the Minister. Shockingly, if there is a failure, the accountability is fixed on technical experts or bureaucrats and not on the Minister! Left to himself, Lalu could introduce kulhars only. But his real expertise is in the field of stratagems and spoils. ASHWANI KUMAR, Nurpur Bedi (Ropar)