CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Governor and Administrator of the Union Territory of Chandigarh, S.F. Rodrigues, on Thursday extended greetings on the festival of Lohri and urged the people to launch a crusade against female foeticide and generate awareness towards empowerment of the girl child and the elimination of discrimination against her by undertaking strong social and legal measures.

Gen. Rodrigues said Lohri had a great significance in the social system and, as per existing practices, the people observed it for the celebration of the birth of a male child and the marriage of their sons. "We have to reverse this trend by changing societal attitudes and community practices and establish a novel tradition of celebrating the birth of girl child," he said in his message issued here.

While quoting from Guru Granth Sahib, he asserted that the principle of gender equality was also enshrined in the Constitution, with provision for the enforcement of laws against pre-natal sex selection and the practice of female infanticide. There is a need for projection of a positive image of the girl child, through an action-oriented approach and by the collective efforts of Governments, NGOs, social activists and society at large, he added.

Expressing concern over the growing trend of female foeticide, he said it was a matter of serious concern that there was a continuous decline in the female ratio in population in the last few decades and a wide gap existed between the goals and the ground realities. Special emphasis should be laid on the needs of the girl child and substantial investments should be made in the areas relating to their education, health, food and nutrition and labour. He said another area which had a great relevance connected with this festival of fun and fire was the need to preserve and protect the environment by making Lohri pollution-free and observing scientific guidelines for the burning of firewood and other material.

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