Kullu Dussehra: 8,760 women take part in Asia's largest folk

Over 8,700 women folk dancers today scripted history by dancing to the tune of traditional music as they participated in historic Kullu Dussehra at Dhalpur Maidan in Kullu.
Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, who was the chief guest and witness to the unique event, said the performance was not only impressive but "first of its kind in the state with jamboree of women dancing to the tune of folk music songs in traditional attires."
Singh took the opportunity to raise the issue of skewed sex ratio and female infanticide.
"'Save Girl Child' should be made a global campaign to create awareness about importance of girl child and it should also be made the theme of festivals.

The Chief Minister administered the 'save the girl child' pledge to thousands of women present on the occasion and said that the "discrimination with the girl child will not be tolerated and we will work together for eradicating the evil practice of female child infanticide".
Calling for a "crusade" to save the girl child, Singh said that "unless measures like better education, skills and capability building among girls are taken for enabling them to stand on their own feet, it will be difficult for any nation to prosper".

The chief minister said that the saving the girl child was one of the most serious concerns facing the humanity and efforts should be made to make it a global campaign, particularly in developing nations and South East Asian countries.

"Selective abortions should be discouraged and private clinics involved in pre-natal sex determination test should be dealt with as per the law," he said.
The Chief Minister also honoured Kavita Thakur who was member of gold medal winner Kabaddi team in Asian games held at Incheon in South Korea.