Modi resolves to balance male-female birth ratio by 2010

Surat, Oct 31 (UNI) Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi today expressed resolve to eradicate gender inequality and female foeticide from society and said the state will have a balanced male-female birth ratio by its golden jubilee year in 2010.

The chief minister was addressing the gathering here, after flagging off the ''Beti Bachao Yatra'' from the city to Somnath, unfer the auspicis of Saurashtra Jaldhara Trust on the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

Mr Modi said, ''Daughters are pride of our country and glory of our society. We have launched Save Daughters Campaign to abolish the discrimination against them.'' ''It is wrong to believe that only sons will take care of you in old age. There are instances where sons have spoiled the dreams of their parents and daughters have nursed their aged parents. Girls are performing very well at all fronts,'' Mr Modi said.

The Yatra, joined by 1200 leading couples belonging to different sections of society, will spread the message in 18,000 villages of the state.

1,25,000 girls of Surat have written 10 lakh letters for the people of all villages giving message of eradicating female foeticide tendency.

UNI HT SR RL HT1820