President Patil visits Amritsar to support save girl child campaign

Amritsar, OCT.6 (ANI): President Pratibha Devisingh Patil visited Amritsar on Wednesday to give a boost to 'Nanhi Chhaan', a campaign that aimed at protecting the girl child and trees.

Bhatinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal had launched this campaign from the Golden Temple two years ago.

President Patil expressed her concern over the gender imbalance that prevails in the Indian society.

"Due to female foeticide, the number of girl children has reduced in our society and there is also a shortage of brides for the grooms. If it continues to happen, then there will be (gender) imbalance in the society and in our country," said Patil.

"So, everybody, whether it's men or women, have to take an initiative for it as it will create problem in our society," she added.

Patil also said that if the people of the country do not save the girl child, then the concept of family would become non-existent.

"If we don't have girl child then how will the concept of family go on? It will ruin the society and the country, and households will not have any kind of happiness. It will take away all the happiness and love from life," said Patil.

Under the campaign, small saplings are distributed to newly wedded, pregnant women and parents of newborn daughters, with the objective of spreading awareness among people about the twin issues of protecting the girl child and the environment. By Ravinder Singh Robin (ANI)