The case of the missing Indian Girl

Dear Friend,

British journal, the Lancet in one of its issues reported that more than 1 crore girls are missing in India as a result of sex-selective abortion in the past twenty years. This shocking revelation is despite the fact that foetal sex determinations were banned way back in 1994.

Shocking as it is, the study based on Government survey on fertility and mortality, points out that there is preference for at least one boy child, the families "does" something to avoid birth of a girl child and the trend is more among the educated than among the uneducated.

Data from 2001 census shows the sex ratio for 0-6 years old fell from 945 females per 1000 males in 1991 to 927 in 2001. This gives India the notoriety of having the world's lowest ratios for women to men. 1050 females for every 1000 males is the general statistical norm the world over.

In 1991 there wire just two states with sex ratio below 880. Today there are five states and UTs. Punjab (793), Haryana (820) Chandigarh (845) Delhi (865) and Gujarat (878). Even in a state like Karnataka the child sex ratio has dipped from 960 in 1991 to 949 in 2001.

Even though experts say that ultrasound technology is responsible but the fact remains that in our society, it has been an age-old prejudice. The technology has only compounded the issue. Even though we worship Shakti, Laxmi, Saraswati and whole lot of other goddesses and female deities , we do not want daughters in our families. Those who do not touch meat, do not even take a second to abort a female foetus . Many female children after birth are killed or abandoned. Recently four dead bodies of newly born females were found in dustbins in Bhatinda (Punjab)

Speaking in Parliament the other day, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Mr Anbumani Ramdoss acknowledged there was rampant female foeticide and the resultant imbalance in sex ratio in the country. He said the quantum of the problem was so big that mere governmental steps were not enough and sought support of all sections of the society to confront it.

Even though law has its own role to play, law alone can not bring about change in mindsets, especially when they are deep-rooted in age-old prejudices and beliefs. One of the ways of doing it is to bring pride to those parents who have daughters to the extent that others who do not have daughters also wish to have daughters. Can we say, "you are blessed to have your nest filled with a daughter "?

We have been observing Mothers' Day and Fathers' Day. It is time we also observe Daughters' Day and use the day to bring about pride among the parents who have daughters. What are we waiting for ? July 1 is Kalpana Chawala's birthday. Can we have it as a Happy Daughters' Day?

Let us spread the word that July 1 is Happy Daughters Day and create events for it . Even if we are not able to create an event, we can at least hold the hand of our daughter and tell her , " I am blessed you filled my nest."

I keenly look forward to your views , suggestions and feedback. If you are planning to organise some event on July 1, please share your plans with me and everybody else. email me at jatindervijh@gmail.com


Jatinder Vijh