Mystery of the vanishing girls

According to the Census of India, 2001, girls are vanishing from the states cities. Urban Maharashtra is eliminating female foetuses at an alarming rate. City areas of the states have seen a drastic fall in the number of females over males in the past ten years.

South Mumbai is leading the pack with a sex ratio as low as 774 in 2001 as compared to 791 in 1991, while the sex ratio in city suburbs is 826. Thane and Pune follow at 857 and 927 respectively.

Niki Reddy, Microbiologist

Daughters: Meghna, Sushma and Sameera Reddy, models/actors

Although she knows it is wrong to discriminate, Niki Reddy cant help but say it.

Daughters are assets and sons are liabilities, blurts out the proud mom of three talented daughters.

At the end of the day, girls have a softer corner for their parents, they are more respectful and well-behaved, she believes.

Each of my daughters are financially independent, widely-traveled and have their own individuality. Thats exactly how I hoped they would turn out. They are my treasure.

Zeba Kohli, chocolatier

Daughters: 11 year-old Carina and 9 year-old Sophia

Zeba Kohli never had a sister, hence, watching my daughters interact is a wonderful experience for me, she says. Zeba says her daughters give her a unique perspective on life, which affects every thing she does and the way she sees the world.

My girls are very athletic, says the proud mum, and yet, they are intellectual. Girls do a lot more thinking, and are less aggressive or physical, is what shell tell you.

In that sense, they are more mature and hence, easier to talk to, Zeba explains. She also enjoys the fact that she can rely on her daughters to remind her to put on her lip-gloss or wear sunscreen, whenever she forgets to. Which son would do that!

Shweta Tiwari, TV actor

Daughter: 5 year-old Palak Chaudhary

Her onscreen character, Prerna in Kasautii Zindagii Kay, may be troubled by a rebellious son, but Shweta Tiwari is glad she doesnt have to deal with that in real life.

I have a 5 year-old daughter, Palak, who is an absolute angel, the exact opposite of my son in the serial. I had her when I was just 20.

Since I was so young, I wanted a daughter who would grow into a friend, and then, a support. And thats what all daughters are according to Shweta. There was also the childish fact that I wanted to dress her up in frocks and clips.

Although there were some members in the actors family who were disappointed, Shweta has no regrets. I already see my daughter growing into an intelligent human being. She will prove them all wrong.

Aditi Govitrikar, model

Daughter: 6 year-old Kiara

Its ironic that the former model says her six-year-old is terribly protective of me, when Aditi herself refuses to reveal her daughters name.

I would rather not, please understand, insists Aditi, recalling that her husband Muffazal was really keen on a girl child.

Daughters are so adorable, theyre a lot more caring. My girl is so observant that she tells me things like, Mama, someones coming up. Roll up the car window and Pull your handbag in. Its sticking out of the lift.

Tanaz Currim, Actor

Daughter: 13 year-old Zianne

You get to learn a lot when you are the mother of a girl, since she will present you with her unique perspective on life at every instance.

Tanaz also appreciates her daughters opinion on what she wears and admits that theres no getting away from it.

My daughter has an opinion on everything and shes very happy to fill me in on it whenever she can.

Ila Arun, Singer/Actor

Daughter: Ishitta Arun, actor/VJ

You relive your own life through your daughters, Ila enthuses, going on to explain, Its like having a second chance to realise all your dreams.

Ila feels that her daughter is an extension of herself and claims that she always knew that she wanted a daughter. If I had a son, I would have made him dress up in frocks till the age of, maybe, 12 years.

She considers her special bond with Ishitta for a minute and tries to delve into her own psyche Maybe its because of the biological similarities, but mothers and daughters share a very special bond, which a mother-son relationship can never replicate, she concludes.

Manasi Joshi Roy, TV Actor

Daughter: 3 1/2 year-old kiara

Any child is special, says Manasi warmly, but I cant imagine any mother not wanting a daughter, she adds. Manasi goes on to talk about her daughters natural maternal instincts and marvels at the consideration and affection that she receives from her little girl.

I think women are natural nurturers and I find that my daughter, even at a young age, tries to look after me, in any way she can. Manasi says shes overwhelmed when she realises that her mom is not well, and comes by to put her hand affectionately on Manasis forehead. Its that unique warmth thats exclusive to girls.

Anurag Kashyap, Filmmaker

Daughter: 5 year-old aaliyah

I love the way she throws herself at me when I reach home at night. I love the way she sleeps in my arms. I love the way she forces me to watch an extra episode of Tom & Jerry. I love the way she gets away with certain things she knows she can afford to The volatile Anurag Kashyap morphs into a different man when you ask him to talk about the bond he shares with Aaliyah.

I cant explain why, but I always wanted to have a girl, says the scriptwriter for Satya and director of controversial films, Black Friday and Paanch. He recounts, Earlier, I used to get high strung and wouldnt hesitate to express my anger when things refused to work out.

But with Aaliyahs calming influence in his life, Anurag channelises his emotions into his work. I know this is going to sound selfish, but I dont want her to grow up, ever, he confesses.

Anil Dharker, Journalist-writer

Daughter: Ayesha dharker, actor

When you hear a journalist-author talk so passionately about the special bond that can be shared only by a father his daughter, you cant help but wonder if hes prejudiced against having a son.

No, no! Im just stating an objective view, he laughs. I always wanted to have a daughter because I have some sense in my head. Its unbelievable that in this day and age, people have stupid notions about a male heir carrying on their legacy. Then theres the oft-parroted line that daughters will march off to a paraya ghar some day.

But nowadays, with the nuclear family system, thats true of sons too! he scoffs.

He goes on to talk about the proven fact that girls mature earlier and are more loving. Ayesha was all of that and more, he says, speaking fondly of the actor who starred in the critically acclaimed film, The Terrorist.

She was always a performer, full of beans. Shed indulge in role play right since the time she was in primary school. The only time their relationship suffered was when teenage, and its accompanying baggage (namely, boys) struck Ayesha.

I felt a resistance towards other men and what I assumed to be less than honourable intent in my girls life. But I soon told myself to grow up, grins Anil.

Sachin Pilgaonkar, TV actor

Daughter: 16 year-old Shriya Pilgaonkar

Sachin wonders why women are called the weaker sex.

Right from childhood, women are strong, mature and caring. I dont know about anyone else, but thats a winning combination for me! Not to say that I would be disappointed if I had a son. But Im extremely happy to be Shriyas dad.

So what makes Shriya so special? Shriya is mature, well-behaved and talented. She is extremely creative and has decided to take up writing.

Moonmoon Sen, Actor

Daughters: Riya Sen and Raima Sen, actors

Moonmoon cant imagine why someone would be disappointed to have a daughter. In my case, my daughters have turned out to be two little Laxmis for us. They have changed our lives in more ways than one.

They are delightful to have around and they are daddys little pets. The yesteryear sex siren says having a girl child means having a sincere and sensitive friend for life.

We as parents, consider ourselves extremely lucky to have two beautiful, intelligent and successful daughters.

School syllabus to counter lopsided sex ratio

The Council for Education has decided to teach children about the achievements of women in order to combat gender stereotyping and perhaps prevent the number of female foeticides in the long run.

According to guidelines laid down by the National Council for Education, Research and Training, textbooks for the next academic year will not contain material that depicts gender stereotyping such as by referring to doctors or lawyers as men only. History text books will also include information on women achievers and their contribution to society.

The male-female ratio in India currently stands at 100:93, whereas, in other parts of the world, it is 100:105. A study of the births registered in Delhi hospitals shows that there are 819 females born for every 1000 males.

An estimated 1.5 million to 5 million female foetuses are destroyed in India every year. 204 Indian districts have registered a lower child sex ratio than the national average of 927 in the zero to six age group. 48 districts have a female sex ratio of less than 850.