Media Release

Mangaluru, Aug 29: Students of St Mary's PU College, Falnir, organised a unique programme ‘Echoes of the Girl Child’ to offer their support to the victims of sexual violence rampantly taking place in different parts of India.

The event commenced with a prayer, ‘Singing Out The Hearts’, a desperate outcry of all girl children to save and protect little girls who are vulnerable and fragile in the hands of the wicked and ruthless men. A musical dance drama was presented by the students adapting recent incidents like the Nirbhaya crime, acid attack and rampant child trafficking. A clarion call for strong action was expressed loud and clear depicting the ‘Nari Shakti’ which was presented through another group song and dance.

A meaningful candle light vigil was held by students to show their solidarity with the victims of child sexual abuse, reminiscing the atrocities against girls and women with slogans, demanding stringent punishment, better security for girls and a plea that women be spared from this traumatic violence. Thereafter, a moment of silence was observed followed by prayers offered for all the victims of sexual violence and a pledge of liberation was administered by the college’s student president Mariam Azra to the student community.

Chief guest of the programme Vidya Dinkar, a veteran social activist, in her address said that the state of girls and women in India is going from bad to worse. “Sexual abuse has become the new norm in our country. Girls and women are getting raped daily in different parts of India despite public anger voiced through protests, candle light vigils, dharnas and silent marches,” she said giving a wakeup call to all the students to awake, arise and stand united to fight the menace.

Lolita welcomed the gathering, Zoya Azeez compered the programme and Zainab Mukthar rendered the vote of thanks.