A march for a good cause

Gynaecologists and Obstetricians from various leading organisations across India marched in suburban Mumbai to 'Save the Girl Child', an organiser said here on Thursday.

The walkathon was held on Wednesday simultaneously in 130 cities on the eve of the 188th birth anniversary of the great social reformer and earliest women's activist from Maharashtra -- Savitribai Jyotirao Phule.

The event saw the participation of around 35,000 medicos, said Federation of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of India (FOGSI)'s Committee on Medical Disorders in Pregnancy Chairperson Komal Chavan.

"It was a historic walk, held simultaneously pan-India, and has been invited by the India Book of World Records for a mention. The walkathon attracted participation from many local NGOs, school and college students and other citizens," said Chavan.

Mumbai Obstetrics and Gynaecologists Society (MOGS) President Bipin Pandit said the walkathon served as an unique opportunity to "sensitize the masses against the fanatic practice of female foeticide and emphasise the importance of saving and educating the girl child".

The walkathon, which covered prominent areas of Juhu and surroundings, saw the active participation of medicos from several public and private hospitals in Mumbai, according to MOGS Joint Secretary Niranjan Chavan.