Focusing on two core issues of today — girl child and environment is a non-profit organisation Nanhi Chhaan Foundation, which recently celebrated its fifth anniversary. The event was presided over by Salman Khurshid. Watching students participate in different cultural programmes, Harpal Singh, Chairman of the Nanhi Chaan Foundation, said, “It is a feeling of fulfilment to see children empathise with causes that need everyone’s attention in today’s time. The state of affairs is alarming and the plight of decreasing number of girls, dwindling green belt with every passing year is disturbing”.
Singh also explained about the Foundation’s initiatives of planting a sapling for every girl child born. He discussed how various rituals and festivals tend to degrade the status of women. “In Punjab, lohri is celebrated only when a boy child is born, but I feel a girl child too provides many reasons for joy and celebrations. Our NGO has focused on spreading awareness and dealing with stereotypes regarding women’s status,” remarked Singh adding that they are now trying to introduce a new trend where both brother and sister tie rakhi to each other.