Helpline gets 42 complaints about sex-determination tests (Sep 7, 2011, 05.55AM IST)

PUNE: The helpline started to help prevent female foeticide has received 42 complaints and tip offs about illegal sex-determination tests and sex selective abortion being carried out by doctors in Maharashtra.
Inaugurated by chief minister Prithviraj Chavan on July 12, the helpline (toll free number 18002334475) aims at encouraging people to come forward and register complaints either on their name or anonymously.
"We received 42 complaints from 16 districts since July 12. But 11 of them have not been attended to by the appropriate authorities. We have sent them reminders about submitting their report within the stipulated time frame. We are awaiting their response," said a state health official.
Beed, which has registered lowest child sex ratio in the state, tops the list with 10 complaints. "Of them, five have been attended to by the authority and reports have been submitted. There is no communication about the remaining complaints," the official said. After Beed, Jalgaon follows with six complaints. Among them one complaint remained unattended by the concerned officials.
The helpline received one complaint each from Mumbai, Nashik, Sangli, Thane, Latur, Hingoli, Osmanabad and Buldhana.
The officials received two complaints about illegal use of sonography machines by doctors practising in Pune. One caller registered a complaint on July 12, saying that sonography centres in Wakad, Aundh and Baner have not been inspected by the PMC's appropriate authority. The other complaint said that a person working at a government hospital in Mukundnagar was involved in private practice.
"Both the complaints were immediately forward to the PMC's appropriate authority. The officials attended to both complaints and submitted their report," officials of the helpline said.
The helpline received one complaint from Pimpri-Chinchwad saying that medical representatives were hand in glove with doctors in Pimpri Chinchwad while conducting sex determination tests.
"The PCMC officials also attended to the complaints and submitted the report," officials said.
The number of unattended complaints are: Pune rural 1, Jalgaon 1, Satara 2, Nanded 1, Beed 5, and Latur 1.
"We don't disclose the identity of the informer. We request people to come forward and inform us about such illegal activities and contribute towards betterment of the society," said officials of the helpline located at the family welfare bureau near RTO office, Sangam bridge.
eom/umesh

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Helpline-gets-42-complaints-about-sex-determination-tests/articleshow/9891686.cms

Violence towards women cause for increase in female foeticide, says study 'TNN | Sep 3, 2011, 02.39AM IST'

NEW DELHI: The increasing violence towards women in public spaces has contributed to an increase in female foeticide as many would-be parents fear security of a girl child, says a recently concluded study in Haryana by the Centre for Social Research.
"We spoke to many affluent young couples who said that it would be much easier for them to leave a boy alone at home as compared to a girl," said Dr Ranjana Kumari from CSR, who was on the research team of the study. "In villages, too, they believe that though dowry is a one-time payment, the burden of 'maintaining chastity' is immense," said Kumari.
The study took place in Kurukshetra and Ambala, districts where sex ratio is below 800 girls per 1000 boys, from May 2009 till April this year, following a similar study in Delhi. During the course of the study, it was found that apart from violence in public spaces, a woman who had only daughters was also more likely to be the target of domestic violence.
The all-India gender ratio has been consistently declining since 1961 when it was 976-1000 to the current all-time low of only 914-1000, probably because female foeticide is no longer an urban issue. "With portable ultrasound machines, even a villager can determine the sex of an unborn child," said Dr Manasi Mishra, also on the research team. Although the machines need to be registered with the local chief medical officer, they found that many were in operation regardless.
Calling the issue a "civilization crisis", Kumari cited improper governance and lack of monitoring of the law as major concerns. "Even if we file a case, the court rejects it saying we are not a notified agency. State governments are negligent; the budget allocated is little; political parties, too, are not cooperative," she said. Members of parliament of Chandigarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Rajasthan had all been allocated Rs five lakh each for spreading awareness on the issue, "but nobody knows where the money has gone," said Mishra.
The entire industry thrives on clandestine practices, illegal yet ignored. The Pre-conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, enacted in 1994, outlaws sex determining ultrasound scans, and first-time offenders can face imprisonment of three years, as well as a fine of Rs 10,000. Yet, the law is neither followed nor enforced. According to a 2007 handbook released by the ministry of health and family welfare, only 384 cases had been registered under the Act in India.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Violence-towards-women-cause-for-increase-in-female-foeticide-says-study/articleshow/9842051.cms

Ajay, Kajol lend support to girl child campaign

MUMBAI: The state government's " save the girl child campaign" received a shot in the arm with Bollywood couple Ajay Devgn and Kajol agreeing to be brand ambassadors for the drive. What's more, the stars have offered to produce a short film to create awareness on the issue. Public health minister Suresh Shetty confirmed this.

TOI was first to report about the state government's plan to rope in Ajay and Kajol for its campaign against female foeticide. Last month, the state health department approached the actors and sought their help in arresting the sharp decline in the population of the girl child in Maharashtra. The child sex ratio figures of 1991 Census show 946 girls per 1,000 boys. In 2011, this dropped to 833 girls per 1,000 boys.

Describing female foeticide as the "most inhuman, uncivilised and reprehensible" practice, Shetty said, "Participation of prominent actors will boost our efforts and yield better results."

The state government has already enlisted prominent Marathi actors Sachin Pilgaonkar and his wife Supriya as brand ambassadors for the campaign. NCP chief Sharad Pawar's daughter and MP Supriya Sule held a padyatra from August 25 to 28 to spread awareness on the issue. MLC Vinod Tawde of the BJP also participated in the rally.

SOurce:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Ajay-Kajol-lend-support-to-girl-child-campaign/articleshow/9776159.cms

Very painful incident..!

A few days ago, i had a very painful experience and that i want to share with you all... i just came back from my school and when i entered home my mom was very happy and she told me that our neighbours ( near to my home) are blessed with a cute litle princess.. i was so happy and after having my lunch i thought that i should go to congratulate them.. on my way to their home i met with some aunties . they all were standing in a group and were discussing something.. then only one of them called me and just started inquiring about my mom as she was not fine.. i told them about mom and then one of the aunty started discussing about that baby girl and she was so rude .. she was saying ' ki aa munda huna chahida c ah kuri kidro agyi aa pehlan v tan ik c hun ik hor agyi aa una bachareya da ki haal hunda hau us kuri nu dekh k' and all aunties were  agree with  that aunty.. i was just shocked that what all they are saying.. i tried to talk to them that why this difference? whats the problem with girl child but no one listened to me but still somehow i managed to talk to them and made them realize that girls are as important as boys but they all started saying 'assi kehra kehnde kuriya ni chahidiya par munde jyada jaruri hunde aa ik tan huna e chahida aa..' ... i don't know how to make them understand but i will never loose my confident i will try and try and will make them understand about girl child's importance........indirectly they were pointing towards me also as i am also a girl and i am having one sister. (Although i am having two brothers my cousins and they are more than real brothers to me... i love them a lot but people don't understand that) . i was completely broken .. i came back home and i was very upset. i told my mom and i asked her  that is that ever happened  with her when i was born? she said yes but she was happy and she told me she is very happy having daughters and she don't care about what people say... i am lucky that i am having parents who don't feel any difference between girl and boy .. but i am really worried about that girls  who are suffering from this difference and even that whose parents killed them before their birth...HAVE YOU EVER FACED SUCH SITUATION????

Real Hero Prakash Kaur mothers 60 abandoned girls(Aug 01, 2011)

Real Hero Prakash Kaur mothers 60 abandoned girls

Jalandhar: In a state infamous for female foeticide, Prakash Kaur is mother to 60 abandoned girls in Jalandhar. She has given them a life to look forward to, when their own parents wished they were dead.
No one knows when they were born. But for Sheeba, for little Zeinab and their 60 sisters, April 24 is special as it is their birthday.
Prakash doesn't like to look back. Sixty years ago she too was abandoned by her parents and a local Gurudwara was what she called home. The stories of her little ones mirror her life. Siya was only a few hours old when she was found in a drain, wrapped in a black polythene bag. Reva a newborn was dumped on a highway off Kapurthala and it is their future that Prakash is determined to change.
1993 was the turning point in the lives of these girls. That was when Prakash set up the Unique Home for girls on land donated by the Gurudwara where she grew up. Surprisingly, works of Charles Dickens inspire the feisty lady from Jalandhar.
Little Zeinab was found in a garbage dump, packed in a polythene bag only because she is mentally challenged. But today she is the darling of the home bringing colour into everyone's life. This hole in the wall becomes the cradle of life for many like Zeinab.
But all the girls who come here make it through just fine. Every morning the home comes alive. After a quick breakfast, Prakash and the senior girls help the the little ones get ready for school and as they step out, there is a sweet beginning for the day at some of the best schools in Jalandhar.
A brilliant student, 15-year-old Sheeba wants to become a neurosurgeon. Recognising her potential, Prakash sent her to a boarding school in Mussoriee.
"I think my parents left me for my own benefit because if my parents wouldn't have left me," Sheeba said.
"I am really proud of my mom, because I think that there is nobody like her in the world, she is God, she is a friend, she is everything to us," Sheeba added.
Prakash lives for the girls. Stepping out in tattered clothes she picks out fruits for her daughters. Giving them the best in life is the only thing that is on her mind and Prakash knows there's no shame in asking people for help.
The prayer on the lips of the girls is simple, 'Thank you god for my Mamma… one who is ready to die so I can live'.
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http://ibnlive.in.com/news/real-hero-prakash-kaur-mothers-60-abandoned-girls/171911-3.html

Declining male-female ratio is a worry: Minister (TNN | Aug 7, 2011, 11.15PM IST)

AMRAVATI: "The male female ratio in the state is on a declining mode and it is a matter of concern. Before it assumes catastrophic proportion, the slide has to be arrested. To achieve this public awareness about female foeticide has to be created," said state woman and child welfare minister Varsha Gaekwad.

She was addressing a programme organized to inaugurate Indira Gandhi Matrutva Sahayog Yojana in Amravati and seminar organized by Bharatiya Utkarsha Manch.

"In today's world, women have made good strides in all spheres of social strata, but the decline in the number of girls is a worrying factor," she said, adding, "The state government is taking all steps to bridge the gap."

She said that under Indira Gandhi Matrutva Sahayog Yojana a pregnant woman would get aid of Rs 4,000 for medicines and nutritious food. Around 24,000 women would get benefit of the scheme in Amravati, she said. The yojana will be implemented in Amravati city.

With a view to provide nutritious food to adolescent girls, state government will be implementing Sabla scheme in 11 districts of Maharashtra including Amravati. Gaekwad informed that 16 lakh adolescent girls will get benefit of the Sabla scheme. Of these nearly 1.29 lakh beneficiaries are from Amravati.

The minister said that along with nutritious food, the girls will get vocational training and professional skills through this scheme.
source : declining male female ratio