According to the 2011 census, while the child (0-6) sex ratio in national level was 914, it was 941 in Odisha and 946 in Sundargarh district. But interestingly, while in urban areas of Sundargarh district it was 903, in rural areas it was 1005 where as it was just 897 in Rourkela city.
While total number of birth registration in last 8 years were 1,18,204, the male baby children were 63,399 and female baby children were 54,805. It also indicates every year on an average 1,000 less female baby children take birth in comparison to male baby children in Rourkela urban area.
This figure also is a pointer to the mindset of urban people towards female baby and the slogan of ‘Beti bachao, Beti padhao’ having no impact in urban areas who are considered as enlightened people. While this figure is just reverse in rural areas where most of the people are tribal and uneducated.
The cause behind it is the illegal identification of female foetus and abortion. So, stringent action should be taken against the illegal practices to curb the female foetus identification and killing. Otherwise, the slogan for girl children will remain a slogan only.