By Mayukh Goswami

Mangaldai : Deputy Commissioner , Darrang, Ashok Kr Barman on Wednesday turned himself to be maternal uncle for at least four babies at a time when he offered them ‘Anna’ for the first time following celebration of the traditional festival called “Annaprasanna”. He was taking part in the celebration of  the ‘Annaprasanna Day at the Anganwadi centre functional at Sivsankar LP school at ward no 5 , Mangaldai under Pub Mangaldai Integrated Child Development Project   ‘ as a part of the ongoing mass nutritional programme “ “Nutrition India Month” since the beginning of this month September. Deputy Commissioner Barman amidst a festive atmosphere and presenting of the “Uruli” by the women folk performed the role of the maternal uncle of the six months old babies who are  the beneficiaries  Anganwadi centre .Speaking on the occasion the Deputy Commissioner underlined how the rice as a complimentary food is essential  for a baby to acquire the overall mental and physical growth  immediately after the normal breast feeding period of first six months .

 

He pointed out that it has been followed since long in our country and the celebration of traditional festival “Annaprasanna” to mark the first day of offering rice or ‘anna’ to a baby is an example of it . However in the name of choosing a holy date  for celebrating this festival we must not delay in offering complimentary food to the baby touching six months of age . “ Very often we see that while searching for good date from the fortune tellers for the Annaprasanna , the beginning of giving complimentary food to baby has been delayed . This shouldn’t happen . The more we delay in giving complimentary food , the bigger will be the loss for the baby in its all round development which could never be repaired in the entire life .” , DC Barman included . The Deputy Commissioner also led a pledge of all the people present to work unitedly for a country free from  malnutrition, anemia etc .

 

The function was also attended by Dr Nirmal Ch Beriya , Sub Divisional Medical & Health Officer , Darrang , Abu Hussain , District Social Welfare Officer ( i/c) , Manimala Gogoi , District Public Relation Officer , officers and staff of the Pub Mangaldai ICDS , Anganwadi Supervisors , Anganwadi Workers , Helpers , teachers and the students of the school among others . In a similar function at the Anganwadi centre in Nonoighat LP School  under Sipajhar ICDS , Kalpana Deka , ADC in charge of the Social Welfare Department attended as the chief guest . Moreover Annaprasanna Day has been celebrated at No 101 Anganwadi centre at Saikiapara and at Na-Howli LP school under Kalaigaon and Paschim Mangaldai ICDS respectively .

 

Meanwhile on promise of anonymity a section of officials of the organizing department lamented of non release of any fund by the State Government for implementation of