IT is indeed a tall claim, almost an impossible task - to set in motion the immobile-to create spectators who would continue to perform.

The high female infant mortality rates (Miller, 1985); the practice of female infanticide (Krishnaswamy, 1988); the neglect of female children with regard to access to health services, nutrition, (Sen and Sengupta, 1983 and education (Mankekar, 1985); and the sexual abuse of girls (Bhalerao, 1985

STRONG preference for sons over daughters exists in the Indian subcontinent, east Asia, north Africa and west Asia unlike in the western countries [Muthurayappa et al 1997, Lancet 1990, Okun 1996].

Long back in 1971, the committee on the status of women in India was appointed by the Government of India to undertake a comprehensive examination of all the questions relating to the rights and status of women in the context of changing social and economic conditions in the country and new probl

Female infanticide is not uncommon in Indian society, and is still prevalent in certain parts of the country. With the advancement of modern technology its practice, however, has taken a different shape. Now it is possible to detect the sex of the baby when it is still in the womb of the mother.

The banners for the International Women's Day still flutter in the hall. The air is still thick with songs and slogans. Dreams in clenched fists and raised voices still float in the eyes. However, there is dead silence at Surinder Lotow'a's house. This is the happiest and luckiest day for him.

From May 2, 1992, for one full week the town of Cochin in Kerala will witness the re-enactment of a historical event. The previous performance is said to have been orchestrated by King Dashrath a few thousand years ago.

In 1975, amniocentesis arrived in India as a method for the detection of genetic abnormalities. Soon it came to be used more commonly for sex determination (S.D.), actually a misnomer for sex prediction leading to sex selective abortions.

The contributory of science and technology in shaping various aspects of human life needs no elaboration. At present, amongst activists there are two basic streams of thought regarding such a role of science and technology. According to one, `science is neutral and value-free.

Consumerist Culture oriented economic development, commercialisation of medical profession and sexist biases in our society, combined together have created a sad scenario of ‘missing girls’.