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The editorial “Unwanted daughters: Haryana must fight gender bias” (Nov 24) has aptly cautioned us against the abysmal sex ratio in Haryana and Punjab. Government policies have failed to reverse the sex ratio and not helped change the medieval mindset. A multi-pronged approach is the need of the hour. NGOs can play an important role in changing patriarchal attitudes. Lack of action, indifference of officials concerned and tacit understanding between villagers and ANMs (Auxiliary Nurse and Midwife) encourages the abominable practice of female foeticide. Had there been no corruption in the medical fraternity there would not have been a single case of female foeticide. The government must fight gender bias through stringent laws and exemplary punishment. Otherwise, social upheaval would be the outcome of gender imbalance. Capt SK DATTA, Abohar |
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II The sex ratio in Punjab has gone up in a few districts but has declined in 12 districts of Haryana where the Haryana government has declared a number of schemes for the girls. It is interesting that efforts have not been made to increase the sex ratio in the home district of Chief Minister. The authorities concerned should conduct raids at ultrasound centres to check the abominable practice of sex-determination tests. There is an urgent need to change people’s mindset through persistent awareness drives. M L GARG, via e-mail III Surely the Haryana Government needs to be condemned for its failure to save unborn daughters. Sex-determination tests are being carried out by unscrupulous elements in the medical profession. Successive governments in Punjab and Haryana have been unable to check female foeticide. Perhaps the schemes just remain on paper. Doctors involved in sex-determination tests should be identified and they should be punished. Unless the government takes strict steps, the sex ratio will not change favourably. Stringent implementation of laws alone can bring about a change in the medieval mindset that prefers sons to daughters. R K KAPOOR, Chandigarh IV The law alone cannot tackle the menace of female foeticide. Unless and until real causes of female foeticide are not identified and properly redressed, this practice is bound to continue. For centuries, son has been considered a social security for parents in old age. Atrocities on young brides by in-laws are also one of the reasons behind bias towards a female child. The government has to provide ways and means to give social security to old couples in their old age. More schemes and incentives will be helpful in tackling this menace. Drastic and revolutionary steps have to be taken to ameliorate the plight of daughters. Otherwise, female foeticide will continue unabated. AJAY K JINDAL, via e-mail ,SAS Nagar
Spice of language The middle “Mind your language? Nay, your mindset!” (Nov 20) by Justice Mahesh Grover was analytical and interesting. All languages are full of spicy phrases. It is the user that turns these into arrows, which, besides serving their intended purpose, could be a source of healthy humour. HARBANS SINGH, Ambala Cantt. Unpardonable act What the nation witnessed in the Maharashtra Assembly was a crass display of muscle power that made a mockery of democracy. This unwarranted act reiterating “might is right” was unpardonable. It is an irony that while the world is becoming a global village some political parties in the country are still advocating regionalism. It would not be wrong to say that muscle power and violence often takes centre stage in politics. Stern action should be taken against the MNS MLAs so that such incidents do not recur. RAVI SHARMA, Jammu Corrupt nation It is shocking that India is perceived as a highly corrupt nation (editorial, “Highly corrupt”, Nov 19). Politicians who are ruling the country cannot escape the blame. No doubt we have forgotten our freedom fighters who won us cherished freedom. Corruption is rampant and pervades all spheres of life. Even the noble profession of medicine has not been untouched by the cancer of corruption. O P GARG, Patiala II Politics and corruption are two sides of the same coin. Invariably, corruption starts from the top and filters down. Politicians collect crores by unfair means to fight elections. It is futile to expect that we can get rid of the menace of corruption in the near future. AMAR NATH SHARMA,
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