Health Dept honours newborn girls on Lohri, spreads message of gender equality
Ferozepur, January 13, 2026: The Health Department, Ferozepur, celebrated the “Lohri of Daughters” by organizing a district-level function under the ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ campaign in the campus of the Civil Hospital. The programme was held under the leadership of Senior Medical Officer Dr. Nikhil Gupta, while Civil Surgeon Dr. Rajiv Parashar attended the event as the chief guest.
Among those present on the occasion were Assistant Civil Surgeon Dr. Sushma Thakkar, District Family Welfare Officer Dr. Mandeep Kaur, and District Immunization Officer Dr. Meenakshi Abrol. During the event, girls conveyed the message of ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ through traditional giddha performances and songs, creating an atmosphere of celebration and social awareness.
As part of the Lohri celebrations, Civil Surgeon Dr. Rajiv Parashar honoured newborn baby girls born at the Civil Hospital by presenting them with gifts. Peanuts and ‘rewris’ were distributed, and Lohri was celebrated with children and their parents. Dr. Parashar congratulated the parents of the newborn girls and extended his best wishes for the health, bright future, and overall progress of the children.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Rajiv Parashar emphasized that there should be no discrimination between boys and girls. He said girls should be raised and educated on par with boys, adding that girls are no less capable in any field, provided they are given equal opportunities. He appealed to parents not to consider daughters as a burden but to give them the chance to explore and succeed in the world.
District Family Welfare Officer Dr. Mandeep Kaur and Senior Medical Officer Dr. Nikhil Gupta stated that due to the combined efforts of the Health Department and other departments, there has been a significant improvement in the gender ratio compared to earlier years. They informed that the Punjab Govt offers a reward of Rs 1 lakh to anyone who provides credible information leading to action against those involved in sex determination tests or female foeticide.
District Mass Media Officer Sanjeev Sharma, Dy Mass Media Officer Ankush Bhandari, and Neha Bhandari appealed to the public to eliminate social evils such as dowry and to educate boys to respect girls.