The India Post, Chandigarh, 7th September, 2008 :A one day seminar under the aegis of Indian Radiological and Imaging Association was organized today in the Govt. Medical College , Sector 32, Chandigarh, India about PC-PNDT( preconception and pre-natal diagnostic techniques ) Act..It was attended by over 200 delegates from Chandigarh, Punjab, Haryana,Himachal Pradesh and J & K. Ms . Raji P Shrivastava , secretary health,medical education and research and special secretary finance ,UT , Chandigarh delivered the keynote address. She elaborated the efforts being made by UT administration against female foeticide.
She said that girl child should not be discriminated against and the mind set of the society must change. She explained that the UT administration, along with different NGOs is trying to sensitize the public about the issue , especially the students. In addition , the grass root workers like the anganwadi workers are being briefed about it and a conference was held a few months ago with their involvement.
Prof. Suman Kochhar, the organizing chairperson of the meeting, in her introductory address highlighted the figures of 2001 census which show a declining male to female ratio in the country .She said that the number of missing females in the last 20 years, six million is equal to the number of Jews killed in the holocaust, which amounts to genocide .She added that there is a need to change the mind set of the entire society as the malaise afflicts all segments of the society. Prof. Raj Bahadur director-principle of GMCH 32 called upon the medical fraternity to avoid falling into the trap of sex determination and termination of pregnancy for lure of money. Dr K Singh, representing the health and family welfare ministry told the delegates about the efforts made by the ministry in this regard. Dr N Kulasekaran the president of Indian Radiological and Imaging Association reiterated the Associations commitment to implement the PC-PNDT Act in the right ernest. Dr Rajesh Kapur the secretary-general of the Association and Dr Jignesh Thakker, its treasurer and co-ordinator of PNDT Act also spoke on the occasion.
Mr Meet Malhotra legal advisor of the association explained the legal aspects of the PC-PNDT Act and how the problems being faced by doctors could be addressed. Dr V K Goel, director PNDT Punjab presented the data on female foeticide in the state and the steps taken to fight the menace .In the afternoon an interactive session was held with representatives from ministry, Indian Radiological and Imaging Association, and legal profession in which the delegates sought clarifications about the difficulties faced by them.Mr A J Philips Associate editor The Tribune represented the press.