Date:04/04/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/04/04/stories/2007040401800200.htm

Kerala

Combating social evils

Local bodies seem to be fanning out to newer areas such as combating social evils.

The Kadalundi Grama Panchayat for instance is on a different trajectory from the professed objectives of developmental initiatives.

The aim is to make the panchayat totally `dowry free.' The civic body is well into the second phase of its campaign against dowry that reportedly was creating undue pressure on parents of girls in the marriageable age, and causing much heartburn to the latter too.

The campaign against dowry was launched in the grama panchayat a month ago with the grama panchayat functionaries, including O. Bhakthavalsalan, president, and Pilakkat Shanmughan, vice president, playing a pivotal role in the awareness creation programmes among the general public.It is being stressed that dowry was not a pre-condition to marriage in scores of societies the world over.

The campaign was being carried out in association with a Chennai-based organisation.

Maleeha Raghaviah