Eighth 'Phera' for the sake of girl child

New Delhi, Jan 6, 2008 (PTI) There is hope for the girl child,
with couples in Rajasthan's Alwar district showing the way by
taking an eighth 'Phera' while solemnising their weddings with
an oath against female foeticide.
In about 200 marriages that recently took place in the
district, the couples took an extra 'Phera' or round around
the sacred fire, which is a break from the traditional seven
rounds, promising not to go in for sex determination and
female foeticide.
The positive trend is a result of an initiative by an NGO
-- Matasya Mewat Shiksha Vikas Sansathan -- working in the
district and this practice was introduced in community
marriages.
"About 15 community marriages were held recently, and in
all these functions, the couples took an eight lap around the
'Havan' to pledge that they will not kill a girl child,"
Dinesh Sharma, an NGO activist told PTI.
According to 2001 census, the sex ratio in the 0-6 age
group in Alwar was 888, while for Rajasthan it is 909.
The sex ratio for the same age group at the national
level is 927.
"We hope that this additional round will create awareness
among masses about foeticide and sex determination," said
Virendra Vidrohi, another NGO activist.
Activists said the initiative was required in view of the
increasing trend of female foeticide in the state.
"Jaisalmer is one of the worst affected areas of the
state which has recently seen a surge in the cases of killing
the girl child. Despite all efforts, concerned authorities are
not taking any steps towards fighting it," alleged Nakhatdan
Detha of the NGO 'Seemant Kisan Sahyog Sansthan'.
"It is a matter of great concern that the sex-ratio is
coming down drastically owing to pre-natal sex determination
tests being conducted by unauthorised medical practitioners
and clinics. We must stop it," said Yogesh, a social activist
from Barmer.
Another activist from Sirohi district, Brijmohan Sharma
said more need to be done to deal the grave problem.
The activists have suggested that the authorities should
properly audit the Form F (mandatory before getting a
pre-natal sex determination), monitor formation and
functioning of local advisory committees set up to look into
the issue and ensure dissemination of information through
effective channels.