Bhubaneswar, Sept. 3 -- A few decades ago, the birth of a girl was considered bad luck in some Indian families. The prejudice went much deeper: sex-selective abortions after detecting the foetus and even reports of newborn girls being killed and abandoned reflected a disturbing preference for sons. But India has been witnessing a gradual change in attitudes towards daughters.

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Today, a girl's birth is increasingly becoming a reason for celebration rather than sorrow. A heartwarming example has emerged from Maharashtra's Beed district, where one family has turned the arrival of a daughter into a memorable public celebration.

The Dahiphale...