Society responsible for integrated growth of kids: High Court Judge

Karnataka High Court Judge and Karnataka State Legal Services Authority Executive Chairman N K Patil said that the society as a whole should be responsible for an integrated growth of the children.

He was speaking after inaugurating the one-day workshop on integrated project plan against curbing malnutrition among children and bringing back the dropouts to the school jointly organised by Karnataka State Legal Services Authority, Udupi District Legal Services Authority, Women and Child Welfare Department, Udupi district, Public Instruction Department, Udupi, Udupi District Health and Family Welfare Department and Udupi Bar Association.

The judge said the nation needs a strong and healthier population ahead to mark its growth at the global level.

The committee formed under his leadership following the High Court’s decision to consider malnutrition problem that had massively affected Devadurga village in Raichur district, has toured all villages in districts of the State before recommending a comprehensive plan to eradicate the malnutrition problem among children in 2012.

Karnataka High Court Judge K L Manjunath said besides parents, government should also take measures to ensure a healthy diet for the children. Anganawadi workers play a major role in preventing malnutrition problem.

DC Muddu Mohan said out of 60,000 children in the district, only 355 are suffering from malnutrition problem. However, two months ago, the number was 578. The number at present is reduced following the efforts from the district administration to curb the menace. There are 1,146 anganawadi centers in the district.

There are also Anganawadi day care centers for girls. Plans have been chalked out to set up juvenile home shortly, he added. He said utmost attention should be paid for the girl child from her childhood by providing her nutritious food, as she will be  the person who gives birth to the lives.

Karnataka High Court Justice L Narayanaswami said that combating the malnutrition problem is a huge challenge before the nation. Malnutrition problem is one among many problems that pose threat.

Nearly 42 per cent of the total Indian population suffers from malnutrition and poverty. As per the WHO report, one among every hundred kids suffering from malnutrition problem is an Indian.