E-Paper
NRIs move against female foeticide in India
New Delhi-based social activist Swami Agnivesh called upon the Indian Americans to channel their expertise to fight the problem.
Three organisations of Indian Americans have come together to plead support for a movement against female foeticide in India.
The three organisations - India League of America, The Organisation for Universal Communal Harmony (TOUCH) and NRIs for Secular and Harmonious India (NRI-SAHI) - organised a meeting here that discussed various issues related to female foeticide.
Addressing the meeting, New Delhi-based social activist Swami Agnivesh called upon the Indian Americans to channel their expertise and resources to fight the problem.
He said female foeticide was a major social problem in India that needed urgent attention.
Agnivesh also announced his plans to take a group of religious leaders of all faiths on a 'yatra' (march) to increase awareness among people to protect the unborn girl child. The yatra is scheduled to begin at Navsari in Gujarat on Diwali on November 1 and end at Amritsar in Punjab on November 15.
"We need to change the mindset of our people on this issue among all classes," Agnivesh said. "We cannot depend only on implementation of law, since people do not follow the rules. There is a need to sensitise them on this issue," he added.
Agnivesh answered several questions from the audience at the meeting chaired by Thomas Abraham of India League. Sushila Gidwani-Buschi of TOUCH said in her welcome speech that the Indian
Americans were taking greater interest in social issues in India. NRI-SAHI coordinator Shrikumar Poddar promised full support from Indian Americans to Agnivesh in his efforts.
Agnivesh is currently touring different cities in the US to mobilise Indian community support for this cause. He will address meetings in Boston, Atlanta, Chicago and Detroit.
