Surat, 25 January 2013

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today asked the neonatal mothers to take special care of infants for the first 1,000 days to make a success of the state’s fight against malnutrition.

Inaugurating the Gujarat Government’s ‘Mission Balam Sukham’ at Ahwa on the eve of state-level 64th Republic Day function being held in the Dangs district this year, he described ‘Mission Mangalam’ and ‘Mission Balam Sukham’ as the government’s two campaigns to eradicate the blot of malnutrition and to economically empower women in the state – towards building a strong nation.

Mr. Modi called upon Gujarat’s women, seen as womanly and motherly prowess, to join Sakhi Mandalis with a view to join the state’s march to development. This is necessary to stay away from superstitions and rear up healthy babies. He also distributed kits to mothers on the occasion.

The Chief Minister said, “No state in India and not even the literate people are free from the blot of female feticide. Female fetus is still being killed in a fanatic want of a boy child. But a tribal district like Dang has given an inspirational message of gender equality as the female birth ratio in Dang is 1007 against every 1000 male births.”

Population of women and children in the state is around 75%, having female mass of around 50%. With a view to empower them and to involve them in the development process of the state has set up Women and Child Development Department, the Chief Minister said.

Speaking about state’s initiatives for women empowerment Mr.Modi said that Gujarat government has given exemption in stamp duty if the assets are registered in the name of woman. Lakhs of women have become owner of property due to this. It has been made mandatory to register mother’s name on the admission of a child in the school. The state’s desire is to bring the women in the main stream by chalking out various new rules and moves.

Mr.Modi also highlighted the initiatives of skill development training for girls and the health schemes for mother and infants. He asked women to take vow for taking healthcare measures at least from the time of pregnancy to next 1000 days so as to win the state’s battle against malnutrition.

On the occasion, the district panchayat president Bibiben Chaudhary said that improvement is seen in the health of children as a result of various programmes for rooting out malnutrition launched by the Chief Minister.

Chairperson of women economical development corporation Sitaben Nayak said that due to the efforts of state government the role of women has expanded and they have started participating in financial activities. The women of Dang have been economically empowered by given them training for rice processing and making various food products of Nagli.

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