Novel drive on cards to finetune skewed sex ratio in Kanpur

Kanpur, Feb 18 (PTI) Alarmed over skewed sex ratio, thedistrict administration is launching multiple measures,including a novel greeting card scheme, to spread awarenessabout the ills of female foeticide in the district.

The scheme, to be launched on International Women''sDay on March 8, includes sending a greeting card bearingsignature of District Magistrate, and also a bouquet to thefamily, where the female child is born.

A booklet detailing schedule of vaccination will alsobe sent along with the greeting to the family of girl child,Kanpur District Magistrate said.

"In Kanpur district, the sex ratio has drastically fallento 856 women per 1000 men over a period of time. And the solereason for this is female foeticide," district magistrateMukesh Meshram said.

The DM told PTI that the administration would alsodistribute a book titled "Goom Hoti Betiyan" ( MisssingDaughters) among common people to spread awareness about illeffects of terminating female foetus in mother''s womb.

A documentary film "Matribhumi" will be telecast in everyvillage in the district, Meshram said.

In order to ensure speedy access to medical treatmentto pregnant women, the district administration has on cards ascheme to distribute mobile phones to as many as 1200''Voluntary Health Workers'' (VHWs) (Asha Bahus) in thedistrict.

"The idea is that the VHWs can call an ambulance incase of emergency over their mobile phones," the DM said. PTICORR NSK