Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said that the government is aiming at the comprehensive development of anganwadis. Children would be able to enjoy themselves in the new environment. Swimming pool, garden, and play areas would be among the facilities provided for the physical, mental, and social development of children.
He was inaugurating the World Breastfeeding Week observance and smart anganwadi construction launch here on Monday. The first smart anganwadi building was being constructed at Poojappura. As many as 210 smart anganwadis would be built across the State, Mr. Vijayan said.
The Chief Minister stressed the importance of breastfeeding children, adding that nurturing healthy children was the most beautiful thing.
The World Breastfeeding Week’s message was ‘Empower Parents, Enable Breastfeeding.’ This message was very relevant as over 70 lakh children around the world were not getting breast milk as per World Health Organisation statistics. The number of breastfeeding women across the world was coming down, he said.
Only 65%
In India, only 65% of children grew up drinking breast milk the first six months, he said. However, Kerala was a model for other States as 90% of the women here breastfed their children, the Chief Minister said.
Mothers should realise that breastfeeding was important for the child’s physical and mental development.
Minister for Women and Child Development K.K. Shylaja, O. Rajagopal, MLA; councillors Aysha Baker and B. Vijayalakshmi, Social Justice Special Secretary Biju Prabhakar, Women and Child Development Director Sheeba George, and Nirmithi Kendra director U.V. Jose were present.
