This good doctor walks to save the girl child

• The sex ratio in India slumped from 976 girls per 1000 boys in 1961 to 914 in 2011.
• Population (0-6 years) 2001-2011 registered minus (-3.08) percent growth with minus (-2.42) for males and (-3.80) for females
• Three major states (J&K, Bihar & Gujarat) have shown decline in sex ratio as compared to Census 2001.
• According to a report conducted by Central Statistical Organisation, female child population in the age group of 0-6 years was 78.83 million in 2001 which declined to 75.84 million in 2011.

We can go on quoting and quoting the statistics about the skewed child sex ratio which are frightening.

Luckily, there are good samaritans like Dr Rajesh Shah who go out of their way to reach out to save the girl child.

Come, October 2 and he will be the pioneer behind the Save the Girl Child -- the first 24 hours walk in Mumbai.

The gynecologist has been plagued with requests from to be parents to help them conceive a baby boy but the seminar on save the girl child in Mumbai last year opened his eyes.

He doesn’t want to reveal much but after coxing him he delves on some details. He informs, “I was offered six figure amount by an affluent family to reveal the sex of their third child as they already had two daughters and didn’t want a third. I gave them an option of adopting their baby if it is a daughter. Luckily better sense prevailed and they did not abort the baby.”

He says, “The statistics were alarming. I was so moved that I ran with a banner of ‘save the girl child’ around my neck during my first Mumbai Marathon in 2013. I received a lot of support from the people around and suddenly the idea of walking 24 hours around the city clicked.”

So, is the female infanticide ratio skewed in the most cosmopolitan city of India?

Dr Shah says, “Mumbai is the financial hub. We have the posh Napean Sea Road and we also have the largest slums of India, Dharavi here. The curse of female infanticide is prevalent in every class.”

The 24 hours walk starts from Shivaji Park in Cnetral Mumbai at 7 am and will conclude at the same venue on the next day.

It is his burning desire to give back to the women who have played a vital role in his life that makes Dr Shah’s resolve all the more stronger to go ahead with this walk without any sponsors.

He says, “My mother gave birth to me in 1967 and in 2011 I was saved by another lady when I was almost on my death bed. I thought that I must give back to the women of this country.”

The 24 hours walk is just the beginning of a moment to save the girl child. He has many things planned but for now his energies are focused on this 24-hours walk.

Image: Dr Rajesh Shah with Mumbai Commissioner of Police Rakesh Maria