Ludhiana village values its girl child

Even as Punjab has the dubious distinction of having one of the lowest sex ratios in the country, a village in Ludhiana district has proved to be a remarkable exception. The average sex ratio in Bijlipur over the last six years has been recorded at 1800:1000, as opposed to Punjab’s overall sex ratio of 874 females per 1000 males according to the last census.

In the period between April 2002- March 2008, the village has seen the birth of 32 girls and 17 boys. In addition, the village currently has 32 girls between the ages of 3-6 years. “This is a noteworthy achievement. A special report is being sent to the higher authorities,” said multi purpose health officer, Jasbir Singh. Surinder Kaur, the local Anganwadi worker revealed that not a single case of female foeticide had been reported from this village and attributes it to the high emphasis laid on education. “The village has only one school. But the people are concerned about the education of the child. The girls cycle down to the school in the nearby town of Samrala”.

Sarpanch Charanjit Singh informed The Indian Express that 70 per cent of the village’s population has passed high school. Citing his personal example he said, “I have four sisters. All of them have a post graduate degree and are happily settled.” Former panchayat member, Jasbir Kaur encapsulates it effectively when she says, “It is better to have five girls rather than a drug addict son. Spoilt sons inevitably take the household to doom”.