Dancing together for a cause, 600 women eye world record

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, September 21

“Dancing is not about the feel-good factor, it can also be used as an effective expression to speak against things that we, as a society, endorse,” says Dr Jaspreet Kaur, a city-based gynaecologist. She is one of the many 600 women, who will be attempting to break the world record of performing the largest fan dance in the city on Sunday morning.

“The event is also important as it is dedicated to the cause of girl child. Women from all sections of society, age and class will come together to stand against the malpractice that still prevails despite the strict laws against it,” says Dr Jaspreet.

Conceived by the team led by choreographer Pankaj Vij, the event aims to break the previous record currently being held by a team of 252 dancers in Seattle, USA. “We have been training women at three different venues for 10 hours daily in different batches. The idea was to bring the women out of the confines of their homes and careers and give them a common opportunity to do something for them, at least once in life. There are participants who have never danced before or were introverts. But dancing has managed to give them some confidence and enjoy themselves,” says Pankaj.

The performance will be held at Trillium Mall early in the morning and will be attended by playback singer Hargun and Mrs India winner, Simple Kwatra.

Dance for a cause

Dr Jaspreet, who has worked closely with women, counselling them against practising female foeticide, says that the problem lies with communication. “Most people know that it is wrong, but still they do it. The problem is that women need to be strong to stand up against the practice. Sadly, in our country, if you preach something to people, they might not pay attention. So, through dancing, we want to get people’s attention towards the cause.”

Pankaj Vij, too, says that some of the participants have already got the point behind the whole concept. “Apart from being part of a world record attempt, dancing has somehow managed to bring together all these women of different ages and backgrounds together. We have a youngest participant, who is 6 years old and an oldest participant, who is 55 years old, sharing the same platform.”