A voluntary forum dedicates Lohri festival to girl child in Punjab

Tarn Taran (Punjab), Jan 12 (ANI): Ahead of the traditional Lohri festival that is usually celebrated in mid-January, the Kalpana Chawla Pragtisheel Society, a voluntary organisation in Punjab, resolved to dedicate this occasion to a girl child at Tarn Taran town in Punjab.

Many people from Tarn Taran and its neighbourhood hailed this festival as evident from the parents of 101 baby girls who took part in this event said that it was a salutation to girl babies who otherwise are looked down as a burden in the patriarchal society.

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"They are celebrating this Lohri for 101 girls. No one has ever taken such an initiative before. Everyone celebrates Lohri when a baby boy is born in the family, but not for girls. In fact, they are encouraging the birth of girl children," said Suman, a resident.

The Kalpana Chawla Pragtisheel Society reiterated the fact that many women have ushered pride and happiness in a family by giving birth to a female child."The main purpose of this celebration is to make people aware of the social evil of female foeticide. The male and female ratio is getting unbalanced with each passing day. In order to balance the gap in the Sikh society, Akal Takht has given order not to support female infanticide. Female foeticide is as bad as slaughtering a holy cow," said Parvinder Singh. Chairman, Kalpana Chawla Pragtisheel Society.

Lohri, considered to be one of the most zestful social festivals of northern India, is essentially a festival for farmers, celebrated by India's Sikh and Punjabi communities.

People sing and dance around community bonfires throughout the night. By Karan Kapoor (ANI)