'Prevent practices affecting sex ratio'

Indian president urges society to lift spirit of distressed children through emotional support:

by Smriti Kak Ramachandran

Raksha Bandhan at Rashtrapati Bhavan here on Tuesday had a totally different hue to it.

The festival saw a departure from tradition as First Citizen Pratibha Patil was greeted by young children, who lined up to tie rakhis around her wrist. While some walked up shyly to the President, others were surer of themselves.

"While tying a rakhi on her, we told her that there are many of us in Non-Government Organisation Prayas who want to meet her," said Meena, a 13-year-old who was rescued from a house where she worked as a domestic help.

Inspiration derived

Many youngsters were inspired by the President who spoke about the need for special attention to the girl child and children in distress.

"She told me to study hard and become a good citizen. I will join the Army and fight for the country," said Mustaq Ahmed from Kashmir, whose father was killed by insurgents and is now being looked after by Muskan, an organisation run by the Army.

The celebrations were attended by 100 children from Jammu and Kashmir, the north-east, and those who lost their parents in communal riots in Gujarat. Also present were children of Army personnel who lost their lives fighting for the country besides HIV-positive and differently-abled children.

The children who had an interaction with the President during breakfast in the morning were also taken on a guided tour of the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

"The Rashtrapati Bhavan is huge and beautiful and the Mughal Gardens here is more beautiful than the one in Srinagar," said Rubeena Khan, who wants to be a pilot.

Addressing the gathering, Ms. Patil said: "It is on such occasions that society can in a small way fill the void in the lives of children affected by distress. Financial support is available to these children, but perhaps it is the emotional support of society which can lift their spirit and morale to succeed against all odds. Let us reaffirm our commitment as a society to provide them with a bright future."

Ms. Patil said: "Education is a tool through which a person gets self-respect and confidence. On this day of Raksha Bandhan, I would also like to emphasise that every effort should be made to prevent practices which have an adverse impact on the male-female population balance."

The Hindu