The Nanhi Chhaan project, started 14 months ago, would now also focus on the issues of dowry and increasing incidents of cancer, especially in the Malwa belt. The project under which 8.55 lakh saplings were distributed to newly weds and pregnant women in the state will celebrate its successful year on November 9 at Amritsar. The function will be presided over by President Pratibha Patil.

Talking to The Indian Express, MP from Bathinda Harsimrat Kaur Badal, who heads the Nanhi Chhaan project, said, “The President will honour those families where two generations have have not taken dowry. Also, girl achievers from different fields, especially in rural areas, will be honoured.”

Harsimrat said, “I want to make it a people’s movement. Enacting strict laws against dowry will not curb the practice, the realisation should come from within.”

All deputy commissioners were asked to make a list of such families and achievers which was further scrutinised, she added.

“We have started medical camps for cancer check-up. Besides, as even basic amenities are missing in various places, eye and dental check up camps have also been started,” she said.

On August 12, Harsimrat wrote to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, seeking financial assistance and remedial measures to check the spread of cancer. As many as 321 people have died of cancer in last three years and around 2,500 are affected by it. A team will remain in the area for three weeks and set up medical camps at various places. The Roko Cancer Charitable Trust held 20 camps from September 16 to October 14 and examined 1,924 patients. Mammography of around 486 patients was done, 64 cases of cancer were suspected and 3 cases were confirmed.

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