“Whether the Indians are living in India or abroad, the problem remains the same," Dosanjh said, while referring to the issue of discrimination against the girl child.

The non-resident Indian (NRI), who is presently a Member of the Canadian Parliament, said a recent study had shown that in Vancouver, more Indian boys attend school that girls.

“Even in the UK, South Asians are known to have fondness for the male child. And, still we talk of our culture. What culture are we referring to? The mindset of Indians must change so that imbalance in the sex ratio is corrected,” he said.

Interacting with mediapersons at the Chandigarh Press Club here, Dosanjh said the neglect and torture of girls from the birth should end, for which a mass campaign was needed to educate the Indians against female foeticide.

Incidentally, Dosanjh's wife is running a programme on sensitising people about the girl child in British Columbia.

When asked to elaborate the reasons why NRIs were not investing in Punjab, the Canadian MP said lack of basic infrastructure had prevented them from investing in India, though he stressed that the number of those who could actually invest was very less.

“In fact, 90-95 per cent of the NRIs are actually commoners who can barely manage two-square meals and basic necessities of life while living abroad. The government should seek investment from abroad, but should not multiply the earnings of NRIs in dollars by 40 and seek investment from them on the impression that all of them are rich,” he said.

Dosanjh also regretted that large-scale construction activity was being undertaken on agriculture land in Punjab, which could lead to elimination of farms.

"The construction of buildings should be vertical so that agriculture land does not get reduced," he said. Talking about the rising prices of medicines in India, the former Canadian Health Minister said the Indian government could set up a price regulatory mechanism as has been done in Canada.