Modi expresses concern over female foeticide

Mumbai, Jan 7 (UNI) Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grave concern over the growing incidence of female foeticide in the country, and said this was creating a social imbalance which was impeding growth and prosperity.

Speaking at the two-day Jain International Trade Organisation (JITO) conference here yesterday, Mr Modi exhorted the gathering to follow Lord Mahavir's preachings of non-violence. He appealed to the Jain community, which is known for its inclination for social service, to work towards ending this evil.

While referring to the unfavourable male:female ratio of 1000:860 prevailing in Gujarat, he said his government has initiated a number of programmes, like the ''Beti Bachao'' and ''Chiranjeevi'' schemes, to change the situation. Mr Modi rued that it is more the urban educated who resort to female foeticide.

''Female foeticide is the worst kind of violence inflicted on human beings,'' he said, noting that were incidents of killing the girl child centuries ago, but, unlike now, the girl was at least allowed to be born first.'' ''We are now worse than that,'' he added.

Mr Modi also stressed on the virtues of vegetarianism, non-violence and good governance and added that the Jain culture and tradition was still prevalent in the lives of the Gujarati people.

UNI