After Foeticide, Harsimrat Launches Crusade Against Drugs

[Azaad]

Having triggered a crusade against menace of female foeticide in the state, Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal is all set to open a new front to eliminate the spectre of drug addiction that has reportedly gripped more than 65 pc youth of the state.

According to Harsimrat, more than 2,000 unborn girls were being killed daily in India through illegal abortions. This is the estimate of the UN authorities. But, in reality the figures could be much more than that as there is no proper system to keep a track of such killings. The problem is alarming in the northern states, particularly in Punjab, Harsimrat said, adding that only economic empowerment of women could put an end to wide-prevailing bias against the girl child in Indian society.

“I have tried to trace the genesis of the problem by travelling from village to village interacting with people. Women confide that despite prevailing perception of ongoing women liberalisation process, they were still dependent on men. People in the rural areas still see birth of a girl child as a threat to economy of their families. The women can be made self-reliant by providing them with more employment opportunities through multi-craft centres where they can be trained in fields ranging from tailoring to operating computers,” Harsimrat said.

Talking about increasing drug addiction in Punjab, the MP admitted the problem had assumed alarming proportions. She said: “My next target is to launch an effective programme against the menace by involving youngsters of the rural and urban areas.”

[gurdssingh]

These evil practices are common place in the land of forefathers they need eradicating. Easier said than done though.