Joining hands with the District Administration, Jamnagar (Gujarat), the Essar Foundation launched the 'Shishu Mangalam' project, a campaign against child malnutrition in Khambhaliya taluka on July 13, 2012. The event was attended by Ms. Vasuben Trivedi, Minister of State, Women and Child Development (Govt. of Gujarat); MLAs Mulubhai Bera and Meghjibhai Kanjaria; Dr. P.B.Vasoya, President, District Panchayat; Mr. Ajay Kumar (IAS), District Development Officer (DDO), Jamnagar; Mr. J.J.Joshi, Deputy DDO, Jamnagar; Mr. R.R.Bajod, Taluka Development Officer, Khambhaliya; Ms. Ilaben Rana, Program Officer, ICDS, Jamnagar; and Dr. A. Prasad, Block Medical Officer (BMO).
Mr. K.B. Makadia, Head, Vadinar Power, shared the dais with the Minister. The event saw in attendance more than 50 sarpanches (village heads), and more than 500 anganwadi (government-sponsored childcare center) workers across Khambhaliya.
According to the Planning Commission report, Khambhaliya has the highest number
of malnourished children, from 0 to 6 years. Under its Aarogya scheme, Essar
Foundation aims to eradicate malnutrition in the block, with the help of the
District Administration.
The project will target nearly 5,000 malnourished children of Khambhaliya taluka of Jamnagar District and will be implemented over the period of three months. Qualified doctors will participate in diagnostic camps and the required supplements will be provided to the malnourished children. After three months, an independent impact assessment will be conducted to validate the outcome and define the way ahead.
