Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Dec 31: As a part of campaign against the female foeticide and to promote the girl child, the State Health Department will dedicate year 2013 to the daughters and observe the New Year as “Save the Girl Child”.
This was stated by the Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Sham Lal Sharma while addressing the parents, students and teachers at an Annual Day function of Indian Public School (IPS) at Kalibari here today.
Seeking overwhelming support of society to curb the menace of female foeticide, the Minister said that only Government efforts are not sufficient to deal with this issue, but entire society has to contribute for this. He said the Government has already sought help from the religious and social organizations to fight the challenge of saving the girl child to maintain the sex ratio and a positive response has come to fore, adding that need of the hour is to step up efforts to achieve the desired results.
Expressing grave concern over the increasing number of eve teasing and harassment to the women folk, the Minister said that attitudinal change is must to keep a check on such heinous crimes which shake the confidence of the society. He strongly advocated for change in the present educational set up and suggested to introduce moral education subject in every school from primary level. He said parents and teachers have also greater role to play in this direction and they must instil the moral ethics and rich ethos of Indian culture in the students so that they become good citizens and contribute for the welfare of the society and nation.
Chairperson of the IPS, Anu Dogra presented the annual report of the school and listed some new initiatives to upgrade the standards of the school.
The children presented mesmerizing cultural bonanza on contemporary culture and social evils. The jam packed audience enthralled by the performance of tiny tots.
The Minister also distributed prizes amongst the students and teachers who excelled in academic as well as extra-curricular activities.
Among those present on the occasion included, Deputy Commissioner, Kathua Zahida Khan, SSP, Kathua Atul Goel, Mission Director, NRHM Dr. Yashpal Sharma, Chief Medical Office, Kathua Dr. Ajay Khajuria, former MLA, Hiranagar Girdhari Lal Chalotra, students, parents and prominent citizens of the area.