Canadian group on awareness campaign against social evils

Patiala, February 13
Members of the Canada-based Nach Baliye dance group, which is actively working against the menace of dowry and female foeticide, reached Khalsa College here today to motivate students to take a 'No Dowry' pledge.

More than 300 students of the college participated in this international anti-dowry campaign that was initiated by Dr Harshinder Kaur in Canada. She, along with her husband, was present in the college and addressed the gathering. She said that all such petitions would be sent to the UN.

Sumeet Gill, a graduate from Carleton University, Canada, who formed this dance group after being inspired by Dr Harshinder Kaur's fact-based speech about the evil at her university, said they had decided to come to an Indian college to deliver the message that this menace was prevalent on an international level and needed to be immediately dealt with.

"Our aim is just to tell them that we have already initiated the battle against this evil in our country. Now it is their turn if they want the Indian society to get rid of it," added Neeru Gill and Kiran Rai from Toronto.

Appreciating the endeavour of Dr Harshinder Kaur and Nach Baliye team, college principal Dr Dharminder Singh Ubha said female foeticide was an extreme form of violence against women and he was glad that these girls were raising their voice against this practice. "Everyone knows that giving and taking dowry is an offence. But people still indulge in this practice. Therefore, it is really important that youngsters should take a pledge against dowry" he added.

Dr Gurdish Kaur, convener of the Nanhi Chaan Cell of the college, said it was a matter of great pride for them to be part of this international campaign and they would continue to work on these lines. She said the dowry system was one of the greatest evils in India and was the major cause of female foeticide. She stressed the need for such initiatives for educating girls and spreading awareness among the youth.