SAM/MAM kids adopted by community with Parvarish initiative of Cachar Administration

Sept 29: As part of ‘Poshan Maah’ celebrations, a mega adoption drive for Severely Acute Malnourished (SAM) and Moderately Acute Malnourished (MAM) Children of age group of 6 months to 5 years under the project PARVARISH was organised by Social welfare Department ,Cachar in collaboration with District Administration at the auditorium of Pragati Bidya Niketan here in Katigorah on Wednesday. Cachar Deputy Commissioner, Keerthi Jalli inaugurated the programme in presence of MLA Katigorah Khalil Uddin Majumder and other dignitaries.

Speaking on occasion, Deputy Commissioner Cachar, Keerthi Jalli said, “The objective of the poshan maah is to ensure community mobilization and bolster people’s participation for addressing silent killer malnutrition among young children and women and to ensure health and nutrition for everyone. Instead of the Government giving supplementary nutrition, we wanted a community mobilised initiative where community can participate in a systemised way to ensure the district is devoid of malnutrition. A dashboard of SAM/MAM children was developed for donors to come forward for adopting the child’s nutritional responsibility under Mission Parvarish.

PARVARISH an initiative against Malnutrition was launched at Cachar District on 27 of Sept 2020 to eradicate Malnutrition from society. The main aim is to provide nutritious food items to those who are suffering from Malnutrition who usually come from under BPL category, On 15 September, 2021, a Digital version of project PARVARISH was launched so that any one from any corner of the country can come out to help such children by visiting the official website www.parvarish-cachar.in

DC Jalli also appreciated the Anganwadi workers, Anganwadi helpers and officials of poshan team of Cachar district for their outstanding efforts to make it a big success. She specially thanked the civil society for coming forward to support this project. Further, to symbolise this event ceremonially, black amulet with sacred thread was tied in the arms of each children with a wish to overcome Malnutrition within a short period of time.

District Social welfare Officer, Cachar, Saswati Som also spoke on occasion. She said, “In Cachar district, 712 children have been identified as SAM and MAM during the months of August – September, 2021. All such children have been adopted by Cachar residents. Malnourishment can only be eradicated when all of us fight against it together”.

Deputy Superintendent of Katigorah Model Primary Hospital, Dr Ratna Chakraborty in her address said, “The health of the mother as well as the baby depends on good health and nutrition of the mother right after conception. The most crucial period is the first trimester of pregnancy when the baby is being formed. Foods such as banana-flower, green leafy vegetables, Jaggery and vitamin rich fruits like lemon can be a good source. Source of high protein foods are eggs, chick peas, soyabean, lentils etc. Unfortunately, if malnutrition is detected then proper and timely treatment at NRC (Nutritional Rehabilitation Center at SM Dev Civil Hospital, Silchar) should be done.

MLA Katigorah, Khalil Uddin Majumder, Circle Officer & Incharge Block Development Officer , Katigorah,Antara Paul, also spoke on the occasion.