Karnataka govt to formulate new policy, set up task force to prevent female foeticides
Belagavi (K'taka) (PTI): The Karnataka government is taking measures to prevent female foeticides, including amending the concerned legislations, formulating a new policy and setting up a State-level task force, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao told the Legislative Assembly on Thursday.
Along with creating awareness in the society, the government also wants to create a fear of law among people, against indulging in such heinous acts, he said.
A CID probe has already been ordered to probe such incidents, Rao said.
Health Department officials have been directed to regularly conduct spot inspections, the Minister said but acknowledged that ineffective implementation of Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act is coming in the way of fully stopping cases of female foeticides and arresting the declining sex ratio in India.
The declining gender ratio indicates female foeticides are happening, he further said. "If you look at civil registration data, last year it was 947 females for 1,000 men, this year it is 929. It has come down."
He was replying to issues raised by a few MLAs including Leader of Opposition R Ashoka, expressing concern over the increasing cases of female foeticide in the state.
Highlighting the need for a joint operation by the health and police departments to prevent female foeticides, Rao said the proposed State-level task force would help in swiftly acting against any illegal activities. In addition, there are plans for setting up sub-division level monitoring committees, besides deploying an ACP-level officer for proper coordination to deal exclusively with female foeticide cases.
He said the call centre of the health department, which is currently non-functional, would be activated from next month. A tender will be called for this, and this would also cater to instances of female foeticides, among other health-related concerns.
The Minister said the government is also planning to come out with a policy to prevent female foeticides.
He said amendments to the legislation concerned would be effected in consultation with the Health, Home and Law Departments, to make it more effective.
"Nothing will come out of normal inspection or spot visits. Collecting intelligence by involving ASHA and Anganwadi workers and local leaders is important," the Minister said adding that the District Health Officers (DHOs) and Family Welfare Officers have been told to conduct decoy operations once in three months, in their jurisdictions, to identify hospitals involved in female foeticides.
A private hospital in Bengaluru Rural district was sealed and four of its employees were detained after a female foetus was found inside a dustbin of its premises on Wednesday.
Earlier this month, the Karnataka Health department had asked district health officers to inspect and seal unauthorised medical facilities and those run by 'fake doctors' after police busted a sex determination and female foeticide racket in Karnataka.
Several arrests have been made in connection with the scandal uncovered in Bengaluru, Mandya and Mysuru districts.
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Kerala government to create microsite on ‘Islam in Kerala’ to boost tourism
Thiruvananthapuram: In a bid to showcase Kerala’s rich Islamic heritage and attract a diverse range of tourists, the Kerala government will create a microsite on ‘Islam in Kerala’. The initiative, supported by Kerala Tourism, will feature a comprehensive digital presentation tracing the historical and cultural roots of Islam in the state. Kerala Tourism has sanctioned a sum of Rs 93.8 lakh for the development of the microsite, which aims to highlight the socio-cultural evolution of Islam in Kerala over centuries.
Islam has a deep-rooted history in Kerala, dating back to the 7th century. The microsite will serve as a digital platform to explore the role of Islam in shaping Kerala’s history, architecture, lifestyle, arts, and cultural practices.
The microsite will be divided into six chapters, each highlighting a distinct aspect of Islamic heritage in Kerala, aimed at both domestic and international travellers. According to an RTI filed recently, the content for the microsite is currently under development, with active research being carried out. Field shoots are being conducted at various historic mosques across the state to visually document it.
The first chapter, ‘History of Islam in Kerala’ will focus on the early introduction of Islam in the region, particularly through traders and their first settlement along the Malabar coast, as reported by The Hindu.
Chapter two will be on the Islamic pilgrim centres in Kerala such as Beemapally in Thiruvananthapuram and Juma Masjid in Kasaragod. A host of ancient mosques which are pilgrim centres, including the Cheraman Juma Masjid in Kodungallur, Jama-at Mosque in Malappuram, Mishkal Mosque in Kozhikode, Odathil Palli in Thalassery, Palayam Mosque in Thiruvananthapuram, Ponnani Juma Masjid, Pazhayangadi Mosque in Kondotty and Vavar Mosque in Erumely, will be featured, the publication added.
A third chapter will delve into the rich culinary skills of Muslims — Mappila cuisine, the distinct culinary tradition that blends traditional Kerala, Persian, Yemeni, and Arab influences. This segment will highlight the vibrant costumes of the community, including weddings, pre-wedding, and post-wedding ceremonies, which are expected to be an attraction for tourists.
Another chapter will focus on architecture, particularly the fusion of Arabic and indigenous construction techniques seen in the state.
The final chapter will cover art forms and festivals celebrated by Muslims in Kerala, including the influence of Mappila songs, a form of folklore that emerged in the 16th century.
“There is a need to bring together all the information on Islam, which played an important role in shaping Kerala, under one roof, as part of tourism promotion. This will help tourists and play a major role in bringing religious scholars, historians, students, and pilgrims to Kerala,” a senior officer with Kerala Tourism told the news outlet.
The launch date of the ‘Islam in Kerala’ microsite has not been decided yet. Earlier, Kerala Tourism had created similar microsites on Christianity, Judaism, and temples in Kerala.
