On the occasion of the International Day of the Girl Child and also expressing concern over the UN report that nearly 7.50 lakh female foeticides take place in India annually, the Association for Social Service and Rehabilitation of the Aged (ASSRA) on Saturday organised a programme here at Madhurmayee Adarsh Siksha Niketan to make people aware about the bad practice.
Describing female foeticide as a matter of deep shame, ASSRA executive coordinator Susant Sahoo asked people to take pledge to end gender-based discrimination and create an atmosphere of equality for girls.
Speakers like social activist Mihirkant Praharaj, Rajendra Kumar Das, Subhankari Das, blood donor Gopimohan Patnaik and Madhurmayee superintendent Nirojalaxmi Mohapatra laid emphasis on proper care of girl child and urged people to treat them equally.
On the occasion, successful students of the Madhurmayee Niketan who have secured more than 70 per cent marks in the last HSC examinations were also felicitated.