WAKE UP: Massive cycle march against social evils

Ludhiana, January 9, 2013: The three-day 20th Lohri Mela of Girls being organised by Malwa Sabhyacharak Manch, Punjab began with a massive cycle march today.

The cycle march has been organised to create awareness among masses against social evils such as female foeticide, dugs, pollution, traffic problem and exploitation of girls besides protecting environment.

It was dedicated to intellectual Prof. Mohinder Singh Cheema.

The march was led by the Manch’s chairman Krishan Kumar Bawa, president Pawan dewan, Patrons Jagdev Singh Jassowal and Malkit Singh Dakha, vice chairman Ashok Makkar, general secretaries Chaman Lal Batra and Jarnail Singh Toor, conveners Ravinder Ranguwal and Nirmal Kaida and vice president Leena Taparia. Interestingly, City Mayor Harcharan Singh Gohalwaria and municipal councillor (MC) Jagbir Singh Sokhi flagged off the cycle march and they themselves were riding cycles in the cycle march. 

Speaking on the occasion, Gohalwaria said there was a need to build a healthy society because social evils were eroding the society. He added it was  a matter of concern that the youth of the nation was getting engaged in social evils and drugs. He asserted that there was a need to get united against the social evils.

The Manch’s patron Ghanshyam Lotey presented a sacred portrait of Sri Guru Nanak Dev to both Bawa and Dewan. This portrait was prepared by Mussawar, a Muslim artist way back in 1521. The motive of presenting this portrait was that both Bawa and Dewan had got inspiration from Guru Nanak Dev’s preaching and started a campaign against the female foeticide.

On the occasion, Bawa thanked Kuljit Singh, Chief Administrator of KW for offering cycles for the cycle march. In their address, both Bawa and Dewan said the youths were the back bone of the nation. They asserted that there was a dire need of getting aware the children about education, culture and culture.

They regretted that the younger generation was following the western culture blindly and forgetting discipline, humbleness and honesty. Bawa and Dewan said the purpose of celebrating the girls’ lohri was to eliminate gender difference.

They said the girls were creating a history in education with their achievements, adding.

The participants in cycle march were shouting slogans against female foeticide, use of drugs and exploitation of females. They were also shouting slogans to follow traffic rules and protest environment. The cycle march passed through Gill Road area, bus stand road and Dugri Road area.

Finally, it culminated at grain market, Gill Road, Ludhiana.   People from all walks of life participated in the march and created an awareness against social evils in a true spirit. Participants included even the school girls led by Leena Taparia.

A physically challenged youth Balwinder Singh was seen riding his tri-cycle. He gave a message to all that nothing was impossible and only commitment towards the cause was required. Several social and industrial organisations  gave a rousing reception to cycle march at various places. These organisations also distributed sweets and garlanded the participants.

Among others, Jagdeep Singh and Dr. Baldev Singh, social activists from Sangrur, Aruna Taparia, Gurpreet kaur Sidhu, Anju Bala, Ladi, Radha Sehgal, Anita Bhalla, Babli Tak, Ramesh Kaur, Payal, Anchal, Devinder Kaur, Ashwani Sharma, Harpreet Kaur, Hardeep Kaur, Satwant kaur, Harchand Singh Dheer, Jatinder Moti Sood, Ashwani Sharma TT, Kulwinder Sarpanch, Manjit Thekedar, barjinder singh Vicky, Radhey Shyam JE, Inderjit Sharma, Balwinder Bedi, Resham Singh Saggu, Lakhvir Chand Sharma, Kamal Krishan Sharma, Yashpal Sharma, Sarbjit Virdi, Tilk Raj Sonu, Mohinderpal Singla, Dr. Onkar Chand Sharma, Sarbjit Virdi, Tilak Raj Sonu, Mohinder Pal Singla, Dr. Onkar Chand Sharma, Kamaljit Singh and Baljinder Bharti  were present. Bawa told that a seminar against female foeticide and social evils would be organised on on January 10.  Among others, Dr. Harshinder Kaur will address the seminar ad give a message to the society.

He told that on January 11, seven progressive women would be honoured with gold medals and 21 newly born female babies would be honoured with FDRs of Rs. 5,100 each. An entertainment programme of Punjabi singing would also be held on that day, he said.