The measure could save many girls

This is despite the efforts of the government and social organizations to educate the people against this vile practice.

They say the birth of a daughter is unwelcome to a poor family as they can ill-afford the traditional dowry and other marriage expenses which follow when the girl grows up.

The rate of death for baby girls minutes after they are born is still very high in Tamil Nadu.

In most cases, NGOs say that the baby is killed by the mother and buried surreptitiously with the connivance of the elders in the family.

Methods of snuffing out infant lives vary.

A grain of paddy forced into the baby's mouth, a table fan switched on at full blast turned towards the infant's face and milk from poisonous weeds fed to the baby are some techniques used.

In 1992 the Tamil Nadu Government launched an initiative called the Cradle scheme.

Saving babies

If a mother did not want a baby, she could leave her child in a cradle kept outside the Social Welfare Department clandestinely.

The government would then help raise the child. But the initiative did not evoke much response at first.

Officials say only 183 babies were received after the scheme was launched.

Girls often face an uncertain future

After the new government headed by Ms. Jayalalitha took over in May, the scheme was revived.

In the last five months alone 47 babies have been received.

If the parents come back within two months with a change of heart, the babies are returned to them.

But so far, no one has come back to claim their baby.

The babies in the government's care are either sent to authorized adoption centres or to homes run by the state.

Only a couple of months ago, seven nine-year olds raised by the state met Ms Jayalalitha.

Officials say some of villagers are now showing greater interest in family-planning to avoid unwanted childbirths.