Project “Parvarish” under Rajabazar ICDS launched in Cachar

Sept.28: Project ‘Parvarish’ – an initiative against malnutrition was launched at Rajabazar ICDS project here on Monday. A laudable initiative of employees of Rajabazar ICDS project to make small and sustainable differences in society against malnutrition, the main aim is to reduce the number of Severe Acute Malnourished (SAM) children, who are under BPL and could not provide nutritious food to their children. The main objective is to spread the awareness in the society about severely acute malnourished children and to motivate people to nurse SAM children by providing nutritious food items for a specific period of time.

Deputy Commissioner, Cachar, Keerthi inaugurated the programme along with ADC, Social Welfare Department, Lalita Rongpipi, District Social Welfare Officer, ICDS, Saswati Shome, ZPC, North Lakhipur Sudip Kumar. The first SAM baby was adopted by ZPC. Deputy Commissioner and Social Welfare Officer also adopted one SAM child each. Harinagar BPHC has also extended his helping hand for supporting the successful implementation of Parvarish. Dibyajyoti Nath, Founder of SOVIC (Social Responsibility Cell) Assam Engineering College, Guwahati explained about the digitalization of Parvarish initiative.

A nutri-garden was also inaugurated by Deputy Commissioner Jalli on the occasion. While addressing the gathering, she explained about the importance of nutrition in every 0-5 years child for normal growth and development, and encouraged everyone for consuming locally available traditional food instead of going for commercially available fast packaged food. Jalli also urged everyone to reduce the intake of salt as consumption of more salt is harmful for health, which leads to hypertension and other ailments.

Speaking on the occasion, District Social Welfare Officer, Saswati Shome said the main thrust of Poshan Maah is creating awareness among the masses for feeding children, lactating mothers and pregnant women nutritious food, which will help in all round development. For this, Poshan Vatikas have been set up at Anganwadi centres, she added. Shome said the fruits and vegetables that are sowed in the nutri gardens will be used for the children to maintain good health.

She said the project “Parvarish” which has been launched today in Cachar district and for the first time in the entire state will support below poverty line children who have been identified as Severe Acute Malnourished and Moderate Acute Malnourished children.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Cachar, Social Welfare, Lolita Rongpipi said Poshan Maah is an opportunity to create awareness about the problem of malnutrition and tracking of SAM children and achieve holistic nourishment. “Poshan Maah inspires community participation and to reduce stunting, malnutrition and anemia. Eating right and staying healthy is the key and the quality of Anganwadi services must be improved for rapid reduction of malnutrition,” she quipped.