My head hangs in shame: Sonia Gandhi

New Delhi, Feb 5: UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, on Thursday, Feb 5 said it was shameful that children were being tortured in India. She was referring to the incident of a Dalit girl being beaten by police in Etawah of Uttar Pradesh.

Sonia while speaking at a function to give away the National Child awards said that India need to implement strict laws to protect them. "Though children are god's gift to the world and despite all laws to protect them, it is sad to note that in India children are still being tortured which makes our head hang in shame. All of us should raise our voices against such horrific incidents," said Sonia.

She added that the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has the responsibility to ensure that laws to protect children are used properly. Sonia said that India have largest number of children in the world which is around 40 cr. "I am worried that a large number of children instead of going to school are working. Child labour eradication needs more effort," she said adding that there was also a need to stop female foeticide and child marriages.

UPA chairperson further said that a women can ensure the well-being of her children and family only if she stands on her feet and the government had thus focussed on women's self help groups.

Meanwhile Renuka Chowdhary, the Women and Child Development minister who was also present at the occasion appealed the to citizens of India to ensure that female foetuses are not killed. "Even now we practice female foeticide. If we keep on killing girls then how can we have colour in our society," she said.

OneIndia News (With inputs from Agencies)