Darrang Deputy Commissioner Turns Maternal Uncle for Babies to Celebrate Annaprasan

Our Correspondent

MANGALDAI: Annaprasan is celebrated as a divine celebration in which the mother cooks the first food for the baby, to be offered to the baby by the maternal uncle amidst some traditional rituals. Additional Deputy Commissioner of Darrang Kalpana Deka played the role of mother for four babies on a single day as part of the Nutrition India Month.

Significantly, the Deputy Commissioner of Darrang, Ashok Kr Barman on Wednesday got the opportunity to be the maternal uncle for at least four babies at a time when he offered them anna while taking part in the celebration of the Annaprasanna Day at the Anganwadi centre functional at Sivashankar Lower Primary School at ward number 5 hereunder Pub Mangaldai Integrated Child Development Project, as a part of the ongoing mass nutritional programme ‘Nutrition India Month’ since the beginning of September.

Deputy Commissioner Barman performed the role of the maternal uncle of the six-month-old babies who are the beneficiaries of Anganwadi centre. Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner underlined the importance and significance of rice as a complimentary food essential for a baby to acquire the overall mental and physical growth immediately after the normal breastfeeding period of first six months. The Deputy Commissioner also administered a pledge to all the people present to work unitedly to make the country free from malnutrition and anaemia.

Subdivisional Medical and Health Officer, Darrang, Dr Nirmal Ch Beria, officiating District Social Welfare Officer Abu Hussain, DIPRO Manimala Gogoi, officers and staff of the Pub Mangaldai ICDS, Anganwadi supervisors, Anganwadi workers, helpers, teachers and the students of the school also attended this unique annaprasan.

In a similar function at the Anganwadi centre in Nonoighat LP School under Sipajhar ICDS, ADC in-charge of the Social Welfare Department, Kalpana Deka attended as the chief guest. Moreover, Annaprasan Day was celebrated at No 101 Anganwadi centre at Saikiapara and at Na-Howli LP School under Kalaigaon and Pacchim Mangaldai ICDS respectively.

Meanwhile, a section of officials of the organizing department lamented non-release of any fund by the State government for implementation of the month-long programme under the Prime Minister’s Flagship Programme ‘Nutrition India Mission.